Jonathan Villar - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Let go by Cubs The Cubs released Villar on Tuesday.

Impact The Cubs dropped Villar from their 40-man roster Friday, and as anticipated, none of MLB's other 29 teams were willing to put in a waiver claim for the 31-year-old, who was playing on a $6 million salary in 2022. Since Villar likely wouldn't have been receptive to a minor-league assignment to Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs instead opted to let the veteran explore his options elsewhere. Even though he produced a lowly .598 OPS in 166 plate appearances for the Cubs this season, Villar's speed and ability to play multiple infield spots could be enough for another club to bring him aboard on a lower-cost deal.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Should New York Mets Bring Back Jonathan Villar? Should New York Mets bring back Jonathan Villar?

4 DAYS AGO • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Designated for assignment Villar was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 31-year-old was originally in the lineup for Friday's matchup with the Cardinals, but the Cubs instead opted to remove him from the 40-man roster and reinstate David Bote (shoulder/head) from the 60-day injured list. Villar joined Chicago on a one-year, $6 million deal in March but struggled to a .222/.271/.327 slash line with two home runs, 15 RBI and six stolen bases in 46 games.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Mooney: The Cubs DFA'd Jonathan Villar and activated... - The Athletic The Cubs DFA’d Jonathan Villar and activated David Bote.

6 DAYS AGO • THEATHLETIC.COM

Takes seat Tuesday Villar is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Villar will take a seat after he picked up starts in the infield in eight of the Cubs' last nine contests. Andrelton Simmons will get a look at second base in his stead, but Villar is projected to serve as the primary option at that position until Nick Madrigal (groin) is ready to return from the 10-day injured list.

JUNE 21 • ROTOWIRE

Enters lineup Saturday Villar will start at third base and bat fifth in Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Villar got Friday off but will enter the lineup with Patrick Wisdom getting a breather. The versatile 31-year-old got off to a hot start this season, though he's batting just .100 this month with a .382 OPS across eight games. Villar's last multi-hit performance came back on May 21.

JUNE 18 • ROTOWIRE

Braves' 14-game win streak, Cubs' 10-game skid, both end

The Chicago Cubs became the first team in 23 years to stop a losing streak of 10 or more game while ending an opponent’s winning streak of at least 10 games, beating the Braves 1-0...

JUNE 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Friday Villar is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Villar was returned from the injured list last week and started the past five games, but he'll head to the bench after going 2-for-19 with an RBI, two runs and a stolen base during that stretch. He should continue to see increased playing time at second base until Nick Madrigal (groin) rejoins the active roster, though it's Andrelton Simmons who starts at the keystone Friday.

JUNE 17 • ROTOWIRE

Starts at 2B with Madrigal on IL Villar will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Impact With Nick Madrigal (groin) landing on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Villar looks like he'll get the first chance at replacing him in the everyday lineup. Villar had already started the past three games at the keystone in place of Madrigal, going 0-for-11 with a stolen base.

JUNE 15 • ROTOWIRE

Filling in for ailing Madrigal Villar will start at second base and bat eighth Tuesday against the Padres.

Impact Villar will make his third consecutive start at the keystone, but his playing time will likely take a hit in the near future as long as Nick Madrigal (groin) is able to avoid a stint on the injured list. Once Madrigal is back in action, Villar is expected to move into a utility role.

JUNE 14 • ROTOWIRE

Trevino ends stalemate, red-hot Yankees edge Cubs 2-1 in 13

Pinch-hitter Jose Trevino finally broke a stalemate in the 13th inning with a game-winning single that gave the New York Yankees a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs

JUNE 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs cut Frazier, put Stroman on IL; Miley hurt again

Outfielder Clint Frazier was designated for assignment in a surprise decision by the Chicago Cubs, who also placed pitcher Marcus Stroman on the 15-day injured list with right shou...

JUNE 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns from injured list Villar (mouth) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Villar has been sidelined the past couple weeks after requiring significant dental work, and he'll rejoin the 26-man roster without the need for a minor-league rehab assignment. The veteran infielder should return to an infield utility role now that he's healthy.

JUNE 10 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs come into matchup against the Yankees on losing streak

The Chicago Cubs enter the matchup with the New York Yankees after losing three in a row

JUNE 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs-Orioles postponed by rain; makeup set for Aug. 18

The interleague game between the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles was postponed by a relentless rain shower that started shortly before the scheduled start and never let up

JUNE 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swinging bat again Villar (mouth) took batting practice on the field Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Since Villar was placed on the 10-day injured list last week after requiring dental work rather than due to any sort of injury, he likely won't need much ramp-up time. Whenever the Cubs deem Villar ready to return from the IL, he'll likely have to settle for a utility role.

JUNE 7 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs doubleheader vs. Brewers filled with MLB debuts, Jonathan Villar to IL The Cubs called up Matt Swarmer, Nelson Velázquez and Anderson Espinoza for the double-header Monday.

MAY 30 • SUNTIMES.COM

Placed on IL Villar (mouth) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Villar suffered a mouth injury while working out this week, forcing him to be in need of significant dental work. The move to the injured list is retroactive to Friday, allowing him to return in about a week. Nelson Velazquez was called up to provide another bat for the Cubs before their doubleheader against the Brewers on Monday.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Villar isn't starting Wednesday against the Reds.

Impact Villar has gone 5-for-18 with a homer, two doubles, two runs, two RBI and a stolen base over his last four games, but he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight matchup. Christopher Morel will start at the keystone and lead off.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Gets Tuesday off Villar is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.

Impact He'll give way at second base to rookie Christopher Morel, who has been one of the Cubs' hotter bats since getting a promotion from Double-A Tennessee last week. For his part, Villar has been starting to heat up after a brutal start to the season, as he's slashing .320/.346/.640 with three stolen bases over his last six games. Morel doesn't look like an imminent threat to usurping Villar on the depth chart, but the looming returns of Nick Madrigal (back) and Nico Hoerner (ankle) from the injured list could wind up pushing the veteran back into a utility role.

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles, drives in one Saturday Villar went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Impact Villar recorded two hits and a double for the second consecutive contest, as he continues to be locked in lately. The super utility player is slashing .389/.450/.833 over his past five games with two home runs, two doubles and four RBI. As long as Villar keeps picking up starts across the diamond, he should maintain plenty of fantasy value if he swings the bat like this.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles, homers in loss Villar went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and two runs scored in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Impact Villar's home run, his second of the season, was one of four solo home runs for Chicago. The utility player hasn't provided a ton of power so far this year, though he did blast 18 long balls in 142 games last season, so he may start to trend upward in that category as long as he continues to see regular playing time. He reached double figures in home runs in five of the last six seasons, with the shortened 2020 campaign the only exception.

MAY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Thursday's lineup Villar is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Villar started the past eight games at the keystone and will take a seat for Sunday's contest. Christopher Morel will man second base in his place Thursday.

MAY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Homers, swipes bag Villar went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, an additional RBI and a stolen base in a 7-0 win against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Impact Making his seventh straight start with Nick Madrigal shelved, Villar opened the scoring with a solo home run in the third inning, singled home a run during a five-run fourth and walked and swiped second in the sixth. The infielder is only 6-for-34 in May though Tuesday's offensive display demonstrates the 31-year-old's ability to contribute both power and speed, as Villar's 138 power-speed number ranks 14th among all active players.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Filling in for injured Madrigal Villar will start at second base and bat ninth in Wednesday's game in San Diego.

Impact With Nick Madrigal (back) landing on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Villar looks set to step in as the Cubs' everyday second baseman, at least in the short term. However, Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is in the midst of a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa and could be activated from the IL within the next few days, at which he and Nico Hoerner -- who starts at shortstop Wednesday -- could serve as the Cubs' primary middle infielders.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE