Patrick Wisdom to IL, Alfonso Rivas Recalled from AAA

Patrick Wisdom has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left finger sprain suffered last week on a slide into home plate. He’s been playing through it, wearing one of those oven mitt hand protectors when he reaches base, but the discomfort was still bothering him. Alfonso Rivas — which is a funny way to spell Matt Mervis — has been recalled from Triple-A to fill the spot.

https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1563618723600244737?s=20&t=rM9ZU8OIpOGaixZxfSNX5A

I don’t understand the team’s continued practice of having guys sit/play following an injury, only to IL them several days later. Discretion has not been the better part of valor for the Cubs, though there’s only so much you can do if a player says he’s fine.

I do understand to an extent why the Cubs are unwilling to roster Mervis, who will be ineligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter, but the first base situation is less than ideal right now. Frank Schwindel was optioned and is currently on the IL in Iowa and Rivas has posted some of the lowest power numbers in the game during his time in MLB this season.

Wisdom’s last four starts have come at first as Christopher Morel and Zach McKinstry see more time at the hot corner,  and P.J. Higgins has been at first in 11 of his last 13 starts. With all due respect to their versatility, both are kinda square pegs and neither bats from the left side. The Cubs have added some unexpected pitchers to the 40-man lately, why not get a head start on first base for next year?

Elsewhere on the injury front, both Wade Miley (shoulder) and Keegan Thompson (back) are throwing bullpens Saturday as they continue their respective rehab journeys.