Cubs roster moves: Matt Shaw activated, Jameson Taillon to IL, Kevin Alcántara optioned, Ethan Roberts recalled

The Cubs made multiple roster moves before Tuesday’s game against the Rockies.

Jameson Taillon left Sunday’s game in the second inning with a hamstring strain. Here’s how that happened [VIDEO].

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(insert how much time Taillon is expected to be out)

To replace Taillon on the Cubs pitching staff, right-hander Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Roberts had been optioned to Iowa Friday when Edward Cabrera was activated, but that was largely just a numbers game. Roberts has been pretty effective out of the pen this year, posting a 1.96 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in 14 appearances covering 18.1 innings.

Also Tuesday, the Cubs activated Matt Shaw from the injured list. He’d been placed on the IL May 22 with what was termed “mid-back tightness.” Shaw was batting .242/.291/.400 in 42 games at the time of the IL placement, and I’m not saying this is cause-and-effect, but the Cubs have gone 5-12, tied for MLB’s worst record, since Shaw last played May 19. Shaw went 4-for-14 with a double in four rehab games at Iowa.

To make room for Shaw on the 26-man active roster, outfielder Kevin Alcántara was optioned to Iowa. Alcántara went 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in 12 games for the Cubs, serving mostly as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner.

The return of Shaw gives the Cubs a bit of positional flexibility, as Shaw played center field for a couple of games at Iowa and has played in the outfield this year for the Cubs. Shaw and Pedro Ramirez remain as backup infielders.

As always, we await developments.