Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Mon 5/1/23 3:33 PM

Velazquez will start in left field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Nationals.
EDGE Analysis
He's filling in for Ian Happ while Happ gets a day of rest. Velazquez has provided some thump this season when given a shot to play, going 7-for-20 with three home runs.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sun 4/30/23 10:17 AM

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Miami.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez made four consecutive starts from Tuesday through Friday, but all but one of those assignments came while Cody Bellinger was on the paternity list. With Bellinger now back in action, Velazquez will take a seat for the second consecutive game. While Velazquez is up with the big club, he's likely to serve as little more than a short-side platoon option when the Cubs are at full strength.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sat 4/29/23 8:43 AM

Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday with Cody Bellinger hitting the paternity list, but Bellinger was back Friday to play center, so Velazquez got the start at DH. He delivered his third home run in six games to go with an absurd 1.559 OPS, so the Cubs may decide to keep rolling him out there while he's producing like this at the plate.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Fri 4/28/23 3:34 PM

Velazquez is serving as the designated hitter and batting ninth Friday at Miami.
EDGE Analysis
Cody Bellinger is back from paternity leave to reclaim the starting job in center field, but the Cubs have opted to keep the hot-hitting Velazquez around and active. He is 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored in five major-league games this year.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Fri 4/28/23 1:09 AM

Velazquez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 5-2 win against the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
After Eric Hosmer put Chicago on the board with a homer in the second inning, Velazquez made it back-to-back jacks with a long ball of his own. It was the second dinger of the campaign for Velazquez, who has spent much of his time this season in the minors. He's made his big-league opportunities count, though, as he is slashing .462/.563/1.077 with five RBI and four extra-base hits in just 16 plate appearances.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Thu 4/27/23 12:03 PM

Velazquez is starting in center field and batting seventh Thursday afternoon against the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
The 24-year-old has covered center field for the Cubs in each of the three games since Cody Bellinger went on paternity leave Tuesday, and he's making a case to remain in the majors through Bellinger's anticipated return Friday. Velazquez is 5-for-10 with a home run, two doubles, three walks, four RBI and four runs scored in four total big-league games this season.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Tue 4/25/23 4:09 PM

Velazquez was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. He'll start in center field and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Padres.
EDGE Analysis
He's joining the active roster as a replacement for Cody Bellinger, who was placed on the paternity list. Velazquez is 3-for-4 in two major-league games this season and has also been lighting it up in the minors, but he might only stay with the Cubs until Bellinger returns later in the week.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Sat 4/15/23 7:12 PM

The Cubs optioned Velazquez to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez was sent down to make room for pitcher Brandon Hughes' (knee) return from the injured list. The outfielder played in two games, including going 3-for-4 with a grand slam while scoring three runs in Tuesday's contest against Seattle. He'll head down to get regular playing time with Iowa.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Wed 4/12/23 11:49 AM

Velazquez went 3-for-4 with a grand slam, a double, a walk and two additional runs in Tuesday's 14-9 win over the Mariners.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez's third-inning grand slam off Chris Flexen gave Chicago an 8-7 lead as the Cubs completed a rapid comeback from an early 7-0 deficit. The 24-year-old will be back on the bench for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, but he could force his way into the short side of a platoon in the corner outfield while he's up with the big club.

Nelson Velázquez
LF/RF/DH KC
Mon 4/10/23 4:59 PM

The Cubs recalled Velazquez from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Velazquez had been off to a red-hot start at Iowa, putting up a 1.129 OPS with three home runs and one stole base. His stay in the majors could be a short one with Seiya Suzuki (oblique) due back soon.