Happ, a dynamic defender and winner of three consecutive Gold Gloves, was having another strong season, batting .269 with a .745 OPS and a 114 OPS+, along with three home runs and 19 RBIs.<\/p>\n
Now in his ninth season with the Cubs, the team is doing the right thing and taking a cautious approach. Every game matters, but Chicago is still 25-18 and have a 1.5 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League Central.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/a5444c97b5af355176bc3432e6061b33.jpeg\"\/)
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Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (8) before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
It is also only mid-May, and rushing Happ back can only lead to further setbacks.<\/p>\n
The Cubs called up No. 4 prospect<\/a> Mois\u00e9s Ballesteros in Happ\u2019s absence, and the rookie will serve as the designated hitter with Seiya Suzuki receiving outfield reps. Suzuki is not a very good defender, but should be aided by Pete Crow-Armstrong\u2019s range in center and Kyle Tucker\u2019s reliability in right.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Ballesteros also represents the second big-time prospect to earn a Big League spot this spring. The Matt Shaw experiment has been a disappointment so far, but it is still an exciting time for Chicago fans to see some of their top youngsters get MLB opportunities.<\/p>\n Hopefully, Happ can progress through his rehab and continue to provide this team with solid contact hitting and outstanding defense.<\/p>\n Related: Identifying One Trade Target to Fix Cubs’ Biggest Roster Hole<\/a><\/p>\n