3 Chicago Cubs players on the chopping block with roster moves approaching

The Chicago Cubs will have a couple of key players returning from injury very soon in starting right fielder Seiya Suzuki and left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes. That means a couple of players will have to be sent to Iowa or designated for assignment to make room on the active roster. Here are the three weakest links on the roster who may be leaving Wrigley soon.

1. Nick Madrigal

There is an abundance of capable infielders on the Cubs' 26-man roster right now, and Nick Madrigal may be the odd man out. Other than cemented starters like shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Nico Hoerner, playing time at first and third base is being split between Patrick Wisdom, Eric Hosmer, Edwin Rios, Trey Mancini, and Madrigal. As a natural second baseman who is struggling to transition to the hot corner, Madrigal has nowhere to play in this lineup with Hoerner locked in at second.

Madrigal's inability to hit for power does not help his case either as the lineup needs power, not contact. I would expect Madrigal to be the first guy sent back to Iowa when Seiya Suzuki is activated since he still has minor-league options available. The only thing that may keep him on the roster is his performance in the Rangers series over the weekend and a big stolen base in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.