Chicago Cubs outfielder Nelson Velazquez (illness) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. He was a late scratch on Friday due to a non-COVID related illness. Possibly, the Cubs decided to have him sit out due to the fact a right-hander pitcher is on the mound. Ian Happ, Rafael Ortega and Seiya Suzuki will cover the outfield for the Cubs on Sunday night. The expectation is that Velazquez will return within the next few days.

Chicago Cubs rookie outfielder Nelson Velazquez (illness) was scratched from the starting lineup on Friday against the San Francisco Giants with an illness. Velazquez should be considered day-to-day for now. He's struggled in his first 147 major league at-bats this year, slashing .204/.282/.374 with six home runs, 19 RBI, 18 runs scored and four stolen bases. With him under the weather, Michael Hermosillo will start in center field and bat seventh against Giants left-hander Carlos Rodon. ...

The Chicago Cubs will be promoting outfield prospect Nelson Velazquez to Triple-A, according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic. The 23-year-old has been mashing at Double-A this year with nine home runs and four doubles over 21 games and 91 plate appearances. He has a .279/.374/.696 slash line on the year. Velazquez is ranked as the team's 16th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. If he continues raking at Triple-A, we could very well see him make his MLB debut this year. However, he has some plate...