Cubs place Nico Hoerner on 10-day IL, activate Andrelton Simmons

The Cubs placed Nico Hoerner on the IL Sunday, retroactive to Thursday, with a right ankle sprain.

AP Photos

PHOENIX – The Cubs made a game-time decision Sunday, placing shortstop Nico Hoerner on the 10-day injured list with a right ankle sprain and activating shortstop Andrelton Simmons from the IL.

Hoerner sprained his ankle in a collision with an umpire Wednesday in San Diego. He said he’s been making progress each day since. On Saturday and Sunday, he tested his injury with light pregame drills.

“All of that stuff is going to give us some information,” Ross said during Hoerner’s pregame work. “… We’ll see what kind of report I get from the trainers.”

About an hour before game time, the Cubs announced the move. Hoerner was heading to the IL, retroactive to Thursday.

Simmons joins the active roster for the first time this season, after signing with the Cubs this spring and starting the season on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.

Simmons traveled to Arizona from a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. He played six games with the I-Cubs, building up his workload. He went 2-for-24 at the plate. But he’s better known for his defensive prowess.

Simmons took ground balls at second base and shortstop before the game Sunday. Cubs bench coach Andy Green, asked after hitting fungos how Simmons looked, simply said: “He’s Andrelton Simmons. It’s go time.”