PITTSBURGH – The Cubs are calling outfielder Matt Szczur’s right hamstring strain “mild,” but not mild enough for the second-year player to avoid the disabled list Tuesday.
Szczur, who excelled with regular playing time after Kyle Schwarber suffered a season-ending knee injury the first week of the season, was hurt running the bases in the fifth inning of Monday’s victory over the Pirates.
“It’s always bad timing,” said Szczur of the first hamstring injury of his sports career. “I’ve just got to focus on the task at hand and get better and come back and make an impact.”
The Cubs also were without Gold Glove right-fielder Jason Heyward, who missed a second consecutive game Tuesday because of a sore right wrist he has played through the last four weeks.
The Cubs are looking at Wednesday’s series finale against the Pirates for Heyward’s possible return to the lineup.
Replacing Szczur on the roster was left-handed-hitting Ryan Kalish, the 2014 Cub who was out of baseball for a year before signing a minor-league deal in March to rejoin the organization.
He was hitting .368 at AAA Iowa with a .980 OPS.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Kalish, the Cubs transferred Christian Villanueva (broken leg) from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
