Heyward to COVID-19 IL; prospects Morel, Hughes called up originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, who has dealt with aches and dehydration in recent days, became the third Cub to go on the COVID-19-related inured list in nine days, joining pitchers Marcus Stroman and David Robertson on Tuesday.
“He had some real stuff, some body aches and stuff that I talked about [Monday],” Ross said. “And it turned out it was something.
“He’s doing OK. I think he feels OK. And hopefully he’ll be back real soon.”
Stroman was cleared to begin activities Tuesday and threw a bullpen session in anticipation of making his first start since May 1 sometime in the next few days.
The Cubs were awaiting clearance for Robertson as of Tuesday afternoon.
Replacing Heyward on the roster was Christopher Morel, a versatile outfielder who was signed originally as a shortstop, called up Tuesday from joining the roster Tuesday for an eventual major-league debut after getting called up from Double-A Tennessee.
It’s one of two promotions from the minors Tuesday for the Cubs, with left-hander Brandon Hughes joining the the team from Triple-A Iowa.
The corresponding move for Hughes was the demotion back to the minors of reliever Conner Menez.
Morel, 22, is off to a .306 start this season at Tennessee with seven homers and a .945 OPS in 28 games, mostly in centerfield with six starts at shortstop and four at third base.
He has been considered one of the Cubs’ more promising hitting prospects in recent seasons even as the organization’s top prospect, Brennen Davis, has received most of the notoriety. Davis has struggled this year with a slow start at Triple-A Iowa and last week went on the injured list with a lower-back issue.
Hughes, 26, has made 10 relief appearances for Iowa without allowing a run, striking out 22 in 16 2/3 innings.
Hughes was drafted by the Cubs as an outfielder in the 16th round of the 2017 draft before converting to a pitcher after the 2018…