Cubs Make Roster Moves Amid Game Against the Blue Jays

Chicago Cubs major-league coach Jonathan Mota spent time with Moisés Ballesteros at his locker after tough news on Wednesday. The young player, 22, learned that he was being sent to the minors while outfielder Justin Dean was called to take his place. Mota, a Venezuelan native like Ballesteros, shared insights to help him understand the team’s decision and stay positive.

Mota explained the move was not about performance issues but about playing time. Ballesteros needed regular game action to develop further. He had started the season strong, batting .400, but his performance dipped, hitting just .139 over 114 plate appearances. The Cubs saw daily play in Iowa as vital for him to regain his early form.

On the field, Matt Shaw showed strong performance since returning from an injury, contributing during the Cubs’ 16-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Seiya Suzuki had also moved to the designated hitter role, leading to Ballesteros’ demotion.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell pointed out two aspects: Ballesteros wasn’t batting effectively enough for the designated hitter spot, and the coaching staff wanted him to catch more frequently, which was possible in Triple A.

On Friday, the Cubs’ offense proved effective. They faced 12 batters in the opening inning, scoring seven times, including Carson Kelly’s grand slam. Toronto’s starter, Kevin Gausman, struggled against them, leading to a strong start for the Cubs.

Counsell noted the team’s ability to force Gausman into the strike zone and successfully avoiding unfavorable pitches, demonstrating improvement after a challenging month where their offensive performance lagged.

Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, extending his on-base streak to 22 games with a flawless 3-for-3 performance.

Pitcher Ben Brown efficiently supported the team with six innings of solid play. Despite allowing a home run, he maintained a 1.85 ERA across 68 innings, an asset to a rotation hampered by injuries.

Catcher Carson Kelly praised Brown’s aggressive pitching mentality, contributing six RBIs in the game.

Dean’s contribution included a significant three-run triple in the seventh inning. As a seasoned player with a history in the majors, Dean marked his first major-league hit, which was an emotional moment for him.

Celebrating this milestone, Dean valued the achievement, expressing his joy and planning to share the moment with his family.