Chicago Cubs News: Patrick Wisdom is down bad, Cody Bellinger update, and more

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom is struggling

Chicago Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom is down bad and his struggles have extended to facing left-handed pitchers. Before we dive into the numbers, given his struggles against right-handed pitchers and his struggles as a fielder at third base, Wisdom's only value to the Cubs is as a right-handed power hitter that can do damage against left-handed pitchers

In Monday's loss to the San Diego Padres, Wisdom struck out three times and grounded out while facing left-handed pitchers. Wisdom had another favorable matchup on Tuesday night against the left-handed Tyler Anderson and finished the night going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

Since May 13, 61 plate appearances, Wisdom is slashing .103/.148/.241 with a wRC+ of 1. The experiment with Wisdom being a semi-regular starter in the Cubs' lineup should be close to over. There is no doubt that Wisdom has power and will go on hot streaks throughout a season but that does not outweigh the consistent lows that he has.

Chicago Cubs provide Cody Bellinger injury update

Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger is inching closer to returning from the knee injury that sidelined him earlier this month while making a leaping catch at the center field wall against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Bellinger previously told reporters that returning during this current road trip for the Cubs would be a stretch and team president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer provided more context on Tuesday night.

The embrace heard around the Chicago Cubs world

Prior to the Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, Cubs' right fielder shared a reunion with Angels' superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani will be a free agent this winter and Suzuki has previously stated that he would attempt to recruit the two-way superstar to the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs shortstop prospect Ed Howard returns to affiliate ball

After suffering a devastating hip injury shortly after the start of the 2022 season, Chicago Cubs' shortstop prospect Ed Howard was assigned to the South Bend Cubs on Tuesday and had an instant impact as he went 3-for-5 in his first game back.

Howard does have a long road ahead of him in regard to his prospect status but there is no doubt that Tuesday was a step in the right direction.

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