Cubs Activate Nico Hoerner and Keegan Thompson, DFA Dillon Maples, Option Nick Martini to AAA

The Cubs have activated Nico Hoerner and righty Keegan Thompson from the 10-day injured list and both will be playing against the Brewers Sunday. Hoerner is the shortstop and batting fifth while Thompson is the starting pitching. In order to make room on the roster, righty Dillion Maples was designated for assignment and outfielder Nick Martini was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Hoerner was placed on the 10-day IL back on July 29 with a right oblique strain. He has batted .313 with 10 doubles, 14 RBI and a .776 OPS in a sporadic 39 games this season and figures to be the Cubs’ starting shortstop next year barring any big moves this winter.

Thompson went on the shelf on September 4 with right shoulder inflammation. In two stints with Chicago this season, he is 3-3 with one save and a 3.54 ERA in 30 games. Only four of those have been starts, but he should be in the rotation mix for next season.

Maples is 1-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 28 relief appearances for Chicago this season, walking 25 and striking out 40. He’s got some of the best stuff you’ll ever see, but he’s had trouble commanding it and has run out of options at 29 years old. The flashes of brilliance were never quite enough to make up for the inopportune walks and wild pitches.

Martini, 31, is hitting .158 with one double and two RBI in 17 games for the Cubs this season. The left-handed hitter has batted .267 with nine doubles, three triples, a career-high 11 home runs, and 40 RBI in 78 games with Iowa this year.