In the National League wild-card race, the Chicago Cubs remain firmly in the No. 1 spot. But they have lost four straight games, including Sunday’s 1-0 defeat against the division rival Cincinnati Reds, who completed a weekend sweep.
Chicago out-hit Cincinnati 6-5 but failed to push across a run. Amid their skid, the Cubs announced a roster move, designating reliever Nate Pearson for assignment.
Pearson, acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays last season, has pitched parts of five years in the majors. He struggled in 11 appearances for the Cubs, posting a 9.20 ERA. His performance in Triple-A Iowa, however, was solid, with a 2.22 ERA in 44 2/3 innings.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Eli Morgan, who just returned from the 60-day injured list. Morgan made seven appearances for Chicago last season, allowing 10 runs in 7 1/3 innings before suffering a nerve injury in his throwing arm.
Having not appeared in the majors since April 14, Morgan is unlikely to make the Cubs’ postseason roster, having just completed rehab. Still, it remains to be seen if he’ll get a call-up before the season ends.
Three games ahead of the San Diego Padres with six remaining, the Cubs need to win to hold the first wild-card spot in the National League. If they hang on, they’ll open the postseason with home-field advantage in the wild-card series as the NL’s No. 4 seed. As it stands, the Cubs are likely to face the Padres in the first round.
