Cubs to reinstate Ian Happ from the IL, Jed Hoyer says on 670 The Score

MIAMI – The Cubs are activating left fielder Ian Happ from the 10-day injured list and optioning No. 4 prospect Moises Ballesteros to Triple-A, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said on 670 The Score Tuesday morning.

Ballesteros recorded three hits and three RBI in his 16-at-bat introduction to the big-leagues. With Happ returning and Seiya Suzuki moving from left field back into the designated hitter spot, the temporary opening for the 21-year-old Ballesteros closed.

Happ will be reinstated after just a minimum stint on the IL with a strained left oblique, after feeling discomfort on a swing in New York a week and a half ago. The move was expected once Happ went through a series of hitting tests this weekend without issue.

“Taking so many swings in your life, you know when it feels right and when it doesn't,” Happ said Monday on how he was gauging his readiness. “And so, making sure that I'm getting enough swings and enough volume and intensity – can't simulate game speed, can't simulate a check swing on a breaking ball in the dirt, to a degree, but you can get close.”

Happ was scheduled to hit on the field Monday before the Cubs opened a three-game series against the Marlins.

“That’ll be a nice check,” Happ said.