Duffy expected to return from IL Thursday vs. Cardinals originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Cubs infielder Matt Duffy has joined the team in St. Louis and is expected to be activated off the 60-day injured list Thursday.
The series finale against the Cardinals is the first day Duffy will be eligible to return from the IL, after recovering from a bulging disk in his lower back. Duffy has the day off Wednesday and, barring any issues, is penciled in to come off the IL on schedule, according to Cubs manager David Ross.
Duffy and fellow infielder David Bote (dislocated left shoulder) have both been on rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. Duffy hit .313 over five games. Bote, who has been on the 10-day IL since late May, is three games into his rehab stint and expected to be in the I-Cubs lineup again Thursday.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
Over in Single-A South Bend, reliver Rowan Wick (left oblique strain) is also working back from injury on the 60-day IL. The right-hander has pitched two shutout innings on rehab assignment. The Cubs plan to re-evaluate Wick after his next outing and determine next steps.
Gordon Wittenmyer contributed to the reporting of this story from St. Louis.
Click here to follow the Cubs Talk Podcast.
