CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed center fielder Dexter Fowler on the 15-day disabled list on Monday with a right hamstring injury.
Fowler got hurt while running out a grounder to third in the first inning of Saturday night's 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh. Fowler, who re-signed with Chicago in late February, is batting .290 in 64 games this year and was leading the NL outfield voting for the All-Star Game in the last update on Wednesday.
"Ultimately, we knew it was going to be something that was going to sideline him for at least the next handful of games, week or so," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "When that's the case, playing short-handed for what would be a significant part of a DL stint doesn't make a lot of sense. Dexter was great about it. I think he's in good spirits. I think he feels like he's going to be 100 percent when this is over."
The DL stint for Fowler is retroactive to Sunday. The major league-leading Cubs also recalled right-hander Carl Edward Jr. from Class AAA Iowa before opening a three-game set against St. Louis.
Rookie Albert Almora Jr. got the start in center against the Cardinals. The Cubs also can move Jason Heyward from right over to center.
"I think we've got some options in the outfield that we can play in the meantime," Hoyer said.
Hoyer also said outfielder Jorge Soler (left hamstring strain) and infielder Tommy La Stella (right hamstring strain) are running again and moving closer to minor league rehab stints.
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