Cubs call up star prospect as Ian Happ hits IL

The Chicago Cubs will be without Ian Happ for a while, as the infielder/outfielder is expected to hit the 10-day disabled list because of an oblique issue.

With Happ, who has missed the last three Chicago games, not available, Chicago has promoted star prospect Moisés Ballesteros from the minors. He can make his big league debut this Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins in the second game of a three-leg series at Wrigley Field.

“Breaking News – The Cubs will call up C/ DH Moises Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa. He will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Ian Happ to go on IL with oblique issue,” shared Bruce Levine of The 670 Score via a post on X on Monday night.

Ballesteros played first base and catcher in the minors, but he might not play either role against the Marlins. For one, the Cubs may find it hard to have his start over catcher Carson Kelly, who boasts a 1.114 OPS so far in the 2025 MLB regular season. Meanwhile, Michael Busch, at first base, is hitting .267/.353/.533 in his last five games.

Related Chicago Cubs NewsArticle continues below

However, Busch also went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Monday’s 5-2 victory against Miami. A designated hitter role could be in the offing for Ballesteros. Chicago is just 16th in the big leagues in 2025 with just a 100 wRC+ in the designated hitter position, as Justin Turner is hitting only .155 to date. Meanwhile, Seiya Suzuki, the most-used DH by the Cubs, is hitting .245/.306/.510.

Regardless of which position Ballesteros will occupy, Cubs fans will have their attention on him once he sets foot at the plate. The 21-year-old Venezuelan is a career .288/.371/.459 hitter in the minor leagues with 50 home runs and 218 RBIs. He has turned heads with his performance at the plate in 2025 with Triple-A Iowa Cubs. slashing .368/.420/.522 with four home runs and 18 RBIs through 34 games and 150 plate appearances.

Hopefully for the Cubs, Ballesteros will be able to cover for what they’re missing from Happ’s bat. On the season, the 30-year-old Happ is hitting .269/.364/.381 with three home runs with 19 RBIs and an OPS+ of 114.


Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He’s a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines.

Related Posts

🚨 MLB INSIDE RESET: The White Sox’s newly assembled coaching staff is raising quiet but serious questions across the league, as subtle hires, shifted responsibilities, and a clear change in philosophy hint at a deeper organizational reset. What looks like routine restructuring on the surface may actually signal a long term plan that hasn’t been fully explained yet — and insiders believe the real impact will only become clear once the season pressure hits.

The Chicago White Sox have finalized their coaching staff for the 2026 season following sweeping changes made at the end of September.

🚨 MLB INSIDE TRADE RUMBLINGS: The Braves are suddenly being linked to a bold trade for a $6 million NL rival left hander, a move insiders say could quietly solve multiple problems at once and even position him as a long term heir to Chris Sale. What looks like a low risk deal on paper may actually hide a far bigger plan, with Atlanta reportedly intrigued by a dynamic arsenal that hasn’t fully been unlocked yet — and the timing of this rumor is raising serious eyebrows across the league.

The Braves could go after a young star.

🚨 MLB INSIDE STORM BREWING: As hopes of an Alex Bregman return quietly fade, a new projection suggests the Red Sox may be preparing a jaw dropping $186 million swing for Bo Bichette, a move insiders believe could redefine Boston’s future in one bold stroke. What once seemed unrealistic is now gaining traction behind the scenes, and if this prediction turns real, the ripple effect could shock the AL East and completely change how this offseason is remembered.

A former MLB executive now believes that the Boston Red Sox will land coveted free agent infielder Bo Bichette from Toronto.

🚨 MLB INSIDE WHISPERS: Something big is quietly brewing behind closed doors in New York, as new projections hint the Yankees may be lining up an elite shortstop signing that goes far beyond a normal free-agency move. What started as a low-key prediction is now being viewed as a potential power shift, with insiders suggesting this decision could redefine the Yankees’ identity and force the entire American League to adjust sooner than expected.

The New York Yankees haven’t done much during the offseason, but MLB rumors continue to swirl. New York has been […]

Cubs Predicted To Land Marquee Free Agent Starting Pitcher On Six-Year Contract

The Cubs are in the market for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and David Schoenfield of ESPN predicted them to land Framber Valdez, previously of the Houston Astros.

🚨 INSIDE NFL REVELATION: The Packers reportedly had a stunning opportunity to sign an all time great for just $5 million, yet chose to walk away without even making a free agent offer — a quiet decision that is now raising serious questions inside the fanbase and league circles alike. What seemed insignificant at the time is suddenly being revisited as a potential turning point, with insiders suggesting this missed move could have changed far more than anyone realized.

Green Bay missed an opportunity.