Miles Mastrobuoni - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Impact Back up for his fourth stint of the season with the Cubs, Mastrobuoni projects to fill a utility role for the big club, much like he did on the previous three occasions. As a left-handed batter, Mastrobuoni won't have a path to a short-side platoon role, so his playing time will likely be sparse in September, unless the Cubs lose one of their lineup regulars to an injury.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Moves up from Triple-A The Cubs recalled Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Iowa The Cubs optioned Mastrobuoni to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact With Isaac Paredes now active and set to take over as Chicago's primary third baseman, Mastrobuoni no longer has a place in the Cubs' infield unit and will now head back to Triple-A. The 28-year-old slashed .260/.283/.300 in 53 plate appearances after being recalled in mid-June.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Losing playing time Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Mastrobuoni started at third base in each of the Cubs' final five games before the All-Star break as well as Friday's 5-2 loss to Arizona, but he'll hit the bench for the second day in a row to close out the series with the Diamondbacks. The 28-year-old no longer looks slated to get regular playing time moving forward after the Cubs brought Mike Tauchman back from the injured list Friday.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Getting fifth straight start Mastrobuoni will start at third base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Since heading to the bench for Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Orioles, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni has re-emerged as a regular part of the Cubs' lineup against right-handed pitching. Mastrobuoni will close the first half of the season with his fifth consecutive start, with his uptick in playing time coinciding with Cody Bellinger's (finger) placement on the injured list Thursday. Mastrobuoni has gone 4-for-13 with an RBI and two runs over his prior four starts.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench role Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Impact The lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni had been included in the lineup in each of the Cubs' last three matchups with right-handed pitchers, but the uptick in playing time looks to have been the result of outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong being unavailable due to a thumb injury. After serving as a pinch runner in Tuesday's 9-2 win, Crow-Armstrong has received the green light to re-enter the starting nine Wednesday for the first time in a week, so Mastrobuoni will head back to the bench.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches four times, swipes base Mastrobuoni went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Orioles. He also stole a base.

Impact This was just the second multi-hit effort this season for Mastrobuoni and his first since May 11. The stolen base was also his first of the year. Mastrobuoni is batting just .172 overall, and while he's capable of the occasional solid performance, the utility player doesn't see consistent enough playing time to be much of a fantasy contributor.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing start at third base Mastrobuoni will start at third base and bat eighth in Friday's game against the Angels.

Impact Christopher Morel is getting a second straight day in the designated hitter spot, so Mastrobuoni will be tasked with handling the hot corner. It's his first start since he was recalled from Triple-A Iowa back on June 18.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Back in big leagues Mastrobuoni was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Impact Mastrobuoni will return to the major-league roster after being sent down May 20, replacing Mike Tauchman (groin) with the Cubs after Tauchman was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Mastrobuoni produced a .264 average with three home runs, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored and four stolen bases over 87 at-bats in 22 games with Iowa since his demotion.

JUNE 18 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Mastrobuoni was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, per MLB's transaction log.

Impact Mastrobuoni went 0-for-10 at the dish over his last three games, and he'll be demoted to the minors now that Dansby Swanson (knee) is ready to be activated from the 10-day IL and Luis Vazquez is ready to get a shot with the big-league club. Mastrobuoni will likely be seen again in the majors this season considering his versatility.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time picking up Mastrobuoni will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact With Dansby Swanson (knee) recently going on the injured list and with Nico Hoerner (hamstring) out of the lineup for the second day in a row, Mastrobuoni has been the main beneficiary from a playing-time perspective. He'll draw his fifth start in seven games Wednesday and could continue to see fairly steady playing time in the middle infield even if Hoerner avoids a trip to the IL.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Cracks Opening Day roster The Cubs informed Mastrobuoni on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Mastrobuoni's ability to win a spot on the Opening Day roster spot initially seemed to be tied to the health of Nick Madrigal (hamstring), but even though Madrigal looks poised to avoid a stint on the injured list to open the season, the Cubs will apparently have room for both players as utility options. Though he's capable of filling in at second base, third base, shortstop and both outfield spots and brings quality speed to the table, Mastrobuoni's status as a left-handed hitter means that he won't be a candidate for a platoon role. Instead, Mastrobuoni is likely to see most of his limited opportunities in the late innings as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Stays hot Tuesday Mastrobuoni went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Mastrobuoni had eight hits over four games before hitting the bench for Sunday's contest, though he did appear as a pinch hitter. He got the start Tuesday and picked up right where he left off, pushing his batting average to an even .500 for the month. With the Cubs scrapping for a playoff spot, they may need to keep Mastrobuoni in the lineup and ride his bat while it's hot.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two more hits Saturday Mastrobuoni went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Rockies. He also stole a base.

Impact Mastrobuoni has been playing well lately, as he's currently riding a four-game hitting streak and he's batting a robust .533 during the stretch. He still profiles as more of a bench option for the Cubs overall, though increased playing time has been available with Jeimer Candelario (back) and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) both on the injured list.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Big effort in loss Mastrobuoni went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Wednesday's 13-7 loss to the Pirates.

Impact Mastrobuoni entered the contest with just three hits at the MLB level since July 21, so Wednesday's performance was certainly unexpected, particularly out of the No. 9 spot in the order. The 27-year-old is still just a bench option for the Cubs, though he's seen a slightly larger role recently with Jeimer Candelario (back) and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) both currently out.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Iowa The Cubs recalled Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Despite his lackluster MLB stats this season, Mastrobuoni appears to have rediscovered his swing over the last several weeks. He appeared in 13 games during his last major-league stint in July and slashed .324/.375/.432 with three RBI and 10 runs scored. Once he was optioned to Triple-A, his hot hitting continued with a .959 OPS since Aug. 1. Mastrobuoni will likely serve in a bench role with the Cubs, but the team could look for ways to get his hot bat in the game often. Tucker Barnhart was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Mastrobuoni was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Nick Madrigal was activated from the 10-day injured list, so Mastrobuoni's playing time was about to evaporate anyway. He hit .300 with one home run and five steals over his last 40 at-bats.

JULY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus lefty Mastrobuoni isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact With southpaw Jordan Montgomery set to start on the mound Friday for St. Louis, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni will take a seat to begin the game. Patrick Wisdom will get the nod at the hot corner instead and bat eighth.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Settling in at third base Mastrobuoni will start at third base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Mastrobuoni looked at risk of losing out on playing time when Dansby Swanson returned from the 10-day injured list Saturday, but it's instead been Trey Mancini who has moved into a bench role. With Christopher Morel making his last three starts as the Cubs' designated hitter, Mastrobuoni has been able to settle as the team's primary third baseman. He should continue to make regular starts against right-handed pitching, though Mastrobuoni could give way to Morel or Patrick Wisdom at third base when the Cubs oppose southpaws.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves into reserve role Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Though he's on the bench Sunday versus a southpaw (Jordan Montgomery), Mastrobuoni's opportunities to play against right-handed pitching may become more scarce now that Dansby Swanson is back from the injured list. With Swanson back in the fold, Christopher Morel is unlikely to see much time in the middle infield moving forward and could end up settling into an everyday role at third base, where Mastrobuoni had been occupying the strong side of a platoon with Patrick Wisdom.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first career home run Mastrobuoni went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's victory over the Cardinals.

Impact Mastrobuoni got the Cubs on the board in the third inning with his first career home run. It's been a struggle offensively for the versatile defender in his first season with Chicago, but he's beginning to pick up the pace and has recorded three straight multi-hit games. With Patrick Wisdom scuffling defensively and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) on injured reserve, Mastrobuoni should continue drawing regular starts at third base, especially against right-handed starters.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Mastrobuoni is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact While he'll head to the bench with southpaw Steven Matz on the hill for St. Louis, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni looks to have emerged as a strong-side platoon player at third base for the Cubs. Mastrobuoni has occupied the hot corner in each of the Cubs' last three matchups with right-handed pitchers, while Patrick Wisdom has now started in all of the Cubs' matchups with lefties since he returned from the injured list earlier this month. The Mastrobuoni-Wisdom platoon could come to an end as soon as Dansby Swanson (heel) likely returns from the injured list this weekend, however. Swanson's return is expected to push Christopher Morel out of the middle infield and into a regular role at third base.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies three hits in big win Mastrobuoni went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 17-3 win over the Nationals.

Impact The Cubs cranked out 20 hits and Mastrobuoni had three of them, which was his first three-hit game of the season. It was just his second multi-hit effort, as he came into the contest batting only .155. The 27-year-old managed to raise that by 29 points, but he shouldn't be expected to have too many more stat lines like this the rest of the way.

JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs steal Mastrobuoni went 0-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 11-5 loss to the Red Sox.

Impact Mastrobuoni has been in the lineup in two of three games since the All-Star break, but he's gone hitless over six at-bats. He's faced right-handed pitchers both times, suggesting he could be carving out a platoon role at third base that could eat into Patrick Wisdom's playing time. Mastrobuoni will need to do a bit more with the bat to maintain his newfound role -- he's slashing just .155/.268/.197 with seven steals, one RBI, seven runs scored and three doubles over 84 plate appearances this season.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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