Ballesteros is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Carlos Santana will step in at designated hitter in place of Ballesteros, who will sit for the second time in the series while the Reds send another lefty to the bump in Andrew Abbott. Since being called up from Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 9, Ballesteros has posted a .999 OPS over nine games. He should have a clear path to regular playing time against right-handed pitching while Kyle Tucker (calf) remains on the shelf.

Ballesteros went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Ballesteros has settled in as Chicago's primary designated hitter recently, having started the last six games, and he's responding well at the plate. The 21-year-old rookie has gone 8-for-21 across those six contests with a triple, two home runs, three RBI and five runs scored. With Kyle Tucker (calf) on the injured list, the Cubs have used more of Willi Castro and Seiya Suzuki in right field, which has opened the door at DH for Ballesteros. He should maintain elevated fantasy value this season for however long Tucker remains out, and the youngster's long-term outlook remains promising.

Ballesteros will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and cleanup batter in Monday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Ballesteros will be awarded his fourth straight start after he went 5-for-10 with one home run, one triple, two walks, two RBI and three runs during the Cubs' series versus the Rays over the weekend. Though he's made the most of his opportunities since being called up from Triple-A Iowa last Tuesday, Ballesteros' playing time could be squeezed once Seiya Suzuki (illness) makes his return to the lineup.

Ballesteros went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in Saturday's loss to the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Ballesteros achieved a big personal milestone in the second inning when he clubbed a solo homer for his first big-league long ball. This was just the second game for the rookie catcher since getting called up from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Ballesteros has gotten limited opportunities in the majors so far, but he's been productive when called upon, slashing .280/.357/.520 with eight RBI and three extra-base hits over 28 plate appearances.

Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first appearance for Ballesteros since he was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, so he's clearly filling more of a depth role for the Cubs at this point. In limited MLB playing time this year, the 21-year-old rookie has looked comfortable at the plate with a .273 batting average and .742 OPS across 22 at-bats. Ballesteros has limited fantasy appeal in this current setup, though his long-term outlook remains promising as one of Chicago's top offensive prospects.

The Cubs recalled Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old will join the Cubs for the fourth time this season with Kyle Tucker (calf) landing on the injured list, Ballesteros won't directly take Tucker's position in right field, but Chicago could use Seiya Suzuki more in right field to open up the DH spot for Ballesteros, who is one of the organization's top prospects and has an .859 OPS with 13 homers in 114 Triple-A games this year.

Ballesteros could return to the majors later in the season to give the Cubs a left-handed bench bat for the stretch run, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Ballesteros got a brief taste of the majors earlier in the season, appearing in six games for the Cubs, but he's spent most of the year with Triple-A Iowa. The 21-year-old catching prospect has excelled at the level, posting a .321 batting average, .865 OPS, 11 home runs and 65 RBI in 99 games. If Ballesteros does return to Chicago at some point, it will be for his bat in the right matchups, as the Cubs seem content with Carson Kelly and Reese McGuire behind the plate, and Miguel Amaya (ankle) could rejoin the team at some point as well.

The Cubs optioned Ballesteros to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old was called up Wednesday by Chicago and went 1-for-2 with three-run double that day against Milwaukee, but he'll head back to the minors to make room on the MLB roster for trade deadline acquisition Willi Castro. Ballesteros has a .334/.393/.497 slash line with 26 doubles, nine homers and three steals in 86 games this year at Iowa.

Ballesteros went 1-for-2 with a three-run double in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Ballesteros played his first game with the Cubs since May 19 and came up clutch with a bases-clearing double in the third inning. He was later lifted in favor of the right-handed Justin Turner to face Brewers lefty DL Hall. The 21-year-old has gone 4-for-18 with six RBI and three runs scored across six major-league contests, and his role moving forward may be shaped by the upcoming trade deadline.

The Cubs recalled Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ballesteros went 3-for-16 at the plate in an earlier stint with the Cubs and has slashed .332/.393/.496 with nine home runs this season with Iowa. The Cubs don't have a clear opening in the everyday lineup for the 21-year-old at the moment, though he could serve as the team's primary designated hitter in the short term while Ian Happ is day-to-day with a shin injury. Ballesteros will start at DH and bat seventh in Wednesday's series finale with the Brewers.