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May 30: OF Pete Crow-Armstrong recalled from Triple-A Iowa; SS Luis Vazquez optioned
The Cubs called up their former top prospect from Triple-A Iowa before the series finale against the Brewers on Thursday. Crow-Armstrong was optioned on May 20 after hitting .236 with one home run and nine RBIs across 23 games in the Majors. But since his demotion, the outfielder has hit .387 (12-for-31) with three homers and seven RBIs across seven games at Iowa.

“The role is to help us win,” manager Craig Counsell said. “You have to be down for 10 days, so he played well, and we brought him back.”

In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned infielder Vazquez. He had just one plate appearance since he was called up on May 21.

May 29: RHP Cade Horton (exits Triple-A start with back soreness; No. 1 on Cubs Top 30 Prospect list)
MLB's No. 18 overall prospect surrendered a two-run homer in the opening frame against Louisville and returned to the mound for warmups prior to the second. Horton tossed several pitches before the Iowa athletic trainer went to the mound, along with manager Marty Pevey. Horton walked off the field under his own power.

The right-hander was making his fifth start for Iowa and ninth overall in 2024. The 22-year-old has fanned 40 batters in 34 1/3 innings this season.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Colten Brewer (low back strain)
Expected return: June
Brewer was scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on May 31. The righty has been on the IL since May 17 (retroactive to May 14). Brewer has a 3.09 ERA in seven appearances this season, with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings. (Last updated: May 31)

RHP Daniel Palencia (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: June
Palencia struck out one in one scoreless inning and threw 12 pitches in his latest Minor League rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 30. He has 11 strikeouts, three walks and four runs allowed in five innings through five rehab games. The righty was placed on the IL on May 7 due to a right shoulder strain -- an injury that flared up on his final pitch in the Cubs' 6-3 loss to the Padres on May 6. (Last updated: May 31)

RHP Keegan Thompson (viral illness)
Expected return: May/June
Thompson threw 23 pitches (15 strikes) and allowed one run on one hit across 1 2/3 innings of work in a Minor League rehab outing for Triple-A Iowa on May 29. This was Thompson’s second appearance for Iowa since being placed on the IL on May 15 (retroactive to May 12) after it was clear he would need multiple days of recovery after losing strength due to illness. The right-hander also threw a scoreless inning for Iowa on May 26. In nine games for the Cubs this season, Thompson has a 4.97 ERA with 19 strikeouts and six walks in 12 2/3 innings. (Last updated: May 29)

RHP Yency Almonte (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: June
Manager Craig Counsell said on May 29 that Almonte is playing catch at 90 feet as he continues to build back up since going to the IL on May 11 (retroactive to May 8) with a right shoulder strain. The injury popped up when the right-hander did not recover well from his most recent outing on May 7 against the Padres. Almonte resumed playing catch on May 21, and has a 3.45 ERA over 17 appearances for Chicago so far this season. (Last updated: May 29)

LHP Jordan Wicks (left forearm strain)
Expected return: June
Wicks gave up one run across 3 1/3 innings in his latest rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 28. He threw 52 pitches and struck out five batters while allowing one hit and one walk. This start comes after the left-hander threw two scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 24, finishing with three strikeouts and two hits allowed in a 33-pitch effort. Manager Craig Counsell said there will be another outing for him after that. Wicks was placed on the IL on April 28. Imaging on his left forearm revealed no structural damage. (Last updated: May 28)

RHP Adbert Alzolay (right flexor strain)
Expected return: TBD
The Cubs noted on May 26 that Alzolay has moved his rehab process to Arizona for the time being. The right-hander is currently in a minimum two-week down period from throwing, as manager Craig Counsell noted on May 22. Alzolay was shut down after seeking a second opinion on his right flexor strain, which is similar to an issue the reliever dealt with last September.

“It's going to be a while,” Counsell said on May 22.

Alzolay was placed on the 15-day IL on May 13 with the injury, which flared during his outing on May 12. In 18 games this season, Alzolay has a 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks and six homers allowed in 17 1/3 innings. (Last updated: May 26)

60-DAY IL

RHP Julian Merryweather (rib stress fracture)
Expected return: TBD
Merryweather played catch on May 21 in Arizona. On May 17, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Merryweather is doing well and has “turned the corner a little bit.” Counsell noted Merryweather’s IL stint will be longer than 60 days. The 32-year-old has been shut down from throwing the last six weeks after imaging in April revealed he was dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to April 6) on April 7 and transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17, meaning he’ll be out until at least early June. He had a 1.93 ERA with six strikeouts and two walks through four outings (4 2/3 innings) this season. (Last updated: May 21)

RHP Caleb Kilian (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: July
Kilian left his March 5 start against the Royals in the third inning, and an MRI exam revealed a strain of the teres major in his throwing shoulder. The 26-year-old prospect -- acquired from the Giants as part of the Kris Bryant trade in 2021 -- is unlikely to return to game action until July, per manager Craig Counsell. In '23, Kilian made three appearances for the Cubs and went 8-3 in Triple-A with a 4.56 ERA in 120 1/3 innings. The Cubs placed him on the 60-day IL on March 28. (Last updated: March 28)

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