Cubs call up OF Albert Almora with Jorge Soler (hammy) on DL
The Chicago Cubs recalled outfielder Albert Almora from their Triple-A Iowa affiliate Tuesday afternoon to fill the roster spot of Jorge Soler, who has been placed on the disabled list after an MRI revealed that he suffered a strained hamstring during a 6-4 Chicago victory on Monday night.
The Cubs said Soler will be on the DL for at least 15 days. They won't know how much longer he'll be sidelined until they see how he progresses in his rehab.
Almora, 22, was the sixth overall pick by Chicago in the 2012 first-year player draft. He was hitting .318 with a .779 OPS in 54 games with Iowa this season. The Cubs said Almora has joined the team and will be available to play Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Almora's call-up comes at a fragile time for the family as his father, Albert Sr.,has been undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer.
"It was unbelievable,'' Almora said of telling his father the news. "I can't even begin to describe how that phone call went. After we talked about what's going to happen, we just talked about life. It was so positive.
"I know he wishes he could be here, 100 percent. But I understand [why he's not]. His health comes before the game of baseball. I'm just happy where he is right now, as well.''
Soler hurt himself sprinting down the line in the third inning after a single to left field against Phillies starter Adam Morgan. Manager Joe Maddon and athletic trainer PJ Mainville came out of the dugout to check on Soler after he crouched beside the first-base bag in obvious discomfort. He walked off the field and was replaced by pinch runner Matt Szczur.
"Once I heard 'hammy' running down to first base, I said, 'You're done. Let's go. Come on,'" Maddon said. "There's nothing to debate there. Hamstrings are nasty and he's had a history, so we got him out of there.''
Soler, 24, has played a more prominent role than expected in Chicago's outfield since Kyle Schwarber went down with a season-ending knee injury in April. He is hitting .223 with a .699 OPS, five home runs and 13 RBIs in 130 at-bats this season but had been swinging the bat better of late, with a .318 batting average over his previous 17 games. He had hits in both of his at-bats Monday.
Soler said he felt something in his hamstring about two steps before reaching the first-base bag. He had previously suffered strains to his right and left hamstrings in the minor leagues during the 2014 season.
