Full Breakdown
Cubs Place Caleb Thielbar on Injured List, Add Vince Velasquez and Nicky Lopez
4/25/2026, 2:19:15 PM
Roster Changes Amid Bullpen Injuries
The Cubs placed left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar on the 15-day injured list Friday with a hamstring strain and moved Porter Hodge to the 60-day list. To open a 40-man spot, they promoted right-hander Vince Velasquez from Triple-A Iowa and selected infielder Nicky Lopez, also from Iowa, while designating infielder Scott Kingery for assignment. Thielbar’s move is the eighth pitcher on the IL this season, as Chicago began a six-game road trip with a ten-game win streak.
Key Players and Statistics
Thielbar entered the IL with a 2-2 record, two saves and a 3.12 ERA in 11 games. Velasquez posted a 3.71 ERA over 7 innings for Iowa this season. Lopez hit .241 with one homer and 21 RBIs in 124 games for the White Sox last year. Manager Craig Counsell oversees the roster changes.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Craig Counsell called Thielbar’s injury mild, likening it to a less severe version of his 2022 strain. He said the pitcher could return near the 15-day minimum and that the team has not sacrificed quality despite the injuries.
Criticism & Opposition
Counsell warned the injury pile-up “adds up at some point” and that “we’ve lost a lot of bodies… it gets hard to keep replacing them with the same quality,” underscoring depth concerns.
On-the-Ground Report
Thielbar exited Thursday’s game after facing one batter. The Cubs then defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4, extending their winning streak to ten games.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The injury is described as mild, but no timeline beyond the 15-day minimum has been provided, leaving Thielbar’s exact return date uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We think it’s on the mild side,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He has had this injury before, I think it was ’22 he had it. I think it’s probably a less severe version of that.” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
- “We’re hoping we can be fairly close to the minimum (15 days) here,” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
- “And so we have not sacrificed any quality at this point. In my eyes, these guys have pitched great. They’ve done a heck of a job, and it’s why we’ve been able to put together this nice run. But there’s a limit to what can happen.” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
- “Just being able to be available every single day and also just bring energy and be a good clubhouse guy.” — Nicky Lopez, utility infielder
What’s Next
Velasquez is slated to appear in long relief during the Dodgers series, while Lopez will serve as a bench utility option. The Cubs will monitor Thielbar’s recovery and adjust the bullpen as needed.
