What Cubs briefly transferring Cody Bellinger to first base means for Matt Mervis

Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger scored the first hit and first RBI of his rehab stint at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Those are promising signs he’s regaining his timing before returning from a bone contusion in his left knee.

And he played first base for the second year in a row.

“His biggest influence for the Cubs is probably playing midfield,” said Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations. “But if we put him back in the lineup and get his legs under him and things like that, it just makes a lot of sense.”

If Bellinger is ready to return, the Cubs will have to decide how to make room for him on the roster and what his temporary move to first base means for rookie Matt Mervis. They were scheduled to meet late Wednesday to discuss their options, the Sun-Times learned.

Mervis has shown signs of adjustment lately. He hit a home run in San Francisco last weekend and hit an RBI single in the Cubs’ 11-3 win over the Pirates on Tuesday. But those hits also followed a 1:26 stretch. After going 2-0 on Wednesday, he hits .167 with five extra base hits.

“He’s obviously very talented,” Hoyer said. “But this is the highest level and it’s difficult to adapt here.” And he’s working hard to make those adjustments.”

Mervis’ performance in Triple-A suggests he doesn’t have much left to learn at this level. But the Cubs have also used Triple-A as a venue to boost batsmen’s confidence and get them on the rhythm before retrieving them.

The Cubs have seen strong growth from Mervis since he signed with them in 2020 after he was not selected in that year’s pandemic-shortened MLB draft. In his first season on the system, he hit .204 in the single-A Myrtle Beach before climbing through the ranks in 2022 with an impressive 36 homers.

“He struggled a little bit in the minors and he made those adjustments,” Hoyer said. “And I have no doubt that he will make it here.”

Hughes explores possibilities

Earlier this year, the Cubs expressed optimism that a revised routine would be enough to ease left-hander Brandon Hughes’ recurring inflammation in his left knee. But when he ended up on the 15-day injured list this week, it was clear they needed to reassess that.

“It gave glimpses of the pitcher he was for us last year,” Hoyer said. “But those were only glimpses, and the rest of the time he struggled with genuine unease.” . . “Although he might be able to do that – and I think he’s strong and wants the ball – I also think he wasn’t that effective.”

Hoyer said that “everything will be on the table” while the Cubs look for solutions. After a 3.12 ERA as a rookie and taking on a highly effective bullpen role in the second half of last season, Hughes has a 7.24 ERA in 17 appearances this season.

More updates on injuries

Left fielder Ian Happ acted as batsman-designate on Wednesday after leaving Tuesday’s game with a sore calf. Manager David Ross said Happ told him the spot on his foot where he was hit on Tuesday was more painful than his calf.

“So I think he’s fine,” Ross said.

Left-hander Justin Steele’s bullpen session on Tuesday went well, Ross said. Steele (strained left forearm) was originally scheduled to pitch to the batsmen, but the rain pushed the session inside. He’s on track to return from Illinois on Saturday.

First baseman Edwin Rios (strained left groin) began rehab at Triple-A Iowa and won as a DH 2-5.