Ian Happ Returning Tuesday, Moisés Ballesteros Optioned to Iowa
During an appearance on 670 The Score Tuesday morning, Jed Hoyer confirmed that Ian Happ will return to the lineup on Tuesday night. Happ was placed on the injured list last week — retroactive to May 10 — with an oblique injury, opening a spot for top prospect Moisés Ballesteros. After getting a nice taste of the big leagues, collecting three hits in five games, Ballesteros is being sent back down to Iowa.
Jed Hoyer confirms that Ian Happ will be activated for the Cubs tonight and Moises Ballesteros will be sent back to Triple-A Iowa.
"He's a guy that's going to have a lot of success in the big leagues," Hoyer says of Ballesteros.
"He knew it was going to be a short stay." pic.twitter.com/4gLM6KqjrL
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) May 20, 2025
Happ said on his podcast, The Compound, that oblique injuries are more risky than other areas of the body because of the rotational requirements for hitting and throwing. Seiya Suzuki has had his fair share of oblique injuries in the past, Javier Assad has missed the whole season with recurring issues there, and Porter Hodge was just diagnosed with one Monday night.
Happ’s return gives the Cubs their best lineup possible, although their pitching continues to be a problem.
