The Cubs’ 2021 season has been marred by injuries and that continued as infielder David Bote was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right ankle sprain. Bote injured the ankle during batting practice on Friday as he rolled his ankle on a baseball while going through his pregame routine. He walked off the field with a significant limp as he walked to the clubhouse with the team’s training staff.
It doesn’t sound like Bote will be back in the lineup anytime soon and with only five weeks left in the season, the sprain could end his season. Bote hasn’t had much luck this season, missing a significant amount of time with a separated left shoulder.
“It’s pretty nasty how hard he rolled his ankle,” manager David Ross said before Saturday’s game. “Ball was laying over there and that kind of writing where it’s even hard to see and stepped right on it and he rolled it pretty good.
“Got some test results back and it’s a significant sprain that we’ll have to treat and try to get him back as soon as we can. But no timetable at the moment.”
The Cubs made several roster moves on Saturday, including promoting infielder Alfonso Rivas for Triple-A Iowa. Rivas, 24, has had a strong season in Des Moines in 2021, slashing .284/.405/.411 with four homers.
It was a long day for Rivas on Saturday, who found out late he’d be making his first trip to the major leagues right before he went to sleep.
“Around one o’clock this morning,” Rivas said. “We had finished the game, coming back to the hotel, eating dinner and getting ready for bed. And [Marty Peevy} manager in Iowa, he calls me and says, ‘Hey, where are you at?’ [I say] the hotel, getting ready to go to bed.
“He was like, ‘Well, come to the field. You need to pack all your stuff because you’re going to the big leagues. I was like, I didn’t really believe him at first. … But yeah, it was a very surreal moment and now I’m here and very blessed, really.
The Cubs also promoted right-hander Scott Effross from Iowa. Effross, 27, has also had a strong season in the minors going 7-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 31 appearances. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in the month of August.
“He’s a guy that actually made a lot of changes,” Ross said. “Dropping down and changing the arm slot. Real sink action for righties. Sinker, four-seam, slider has played really well for him. He’s got a changeup, as well. He’s had a lot of success, so I think he deserves a shot.”
To make room for Rivas and Effross on the 40-man roster, right-handers Jake Jewell and Ryan Meisinger were both designated for assignment.
