The Cubs optioned Velazquez to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Velazquez has posted a .933 OPS with three home runs in 13 games with the big club this season but is being sent out in favor of Christopher Morel, who was summoned from Triple-A. Velazquez had started just three of the last nine contests.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Picks up Sunday's start
Rotowire
Velazquez is starting in right field and batting sixth in Sunday's game against the Marlins.
Velazquez will get the start with Seiya Suzuki receiving a day off. Since Suzuki returned to the team in mid-April after recovering from an oblique strain, the Cubs have been pretty set in the outfield with him, Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ as regular starters. That leaves Velazquez as a bench option most days with limited fantasy appeal.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Getting start
Rotowire
Velazquez will start in left field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Nationals.
He's filling in for Ian Happ while Happ gets a day of rest. Velazquez has provided some thump this season when given a shot to play, going 7-for-20 with three home runs.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Launches another home run
Rotowire
Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Marlins.
Velazquez was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday with Cody Bellinger hitting the paternity list, but Bellinger was back Friday to play center, so Velazquez got the start at DH. He delivered his third home run in six games to go with an absurd 1.559 OPS, so the Cubs may decide to keep rolling him out there while he's producing so well at the plate.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Starting at DH on Friday
Rotowire
Velazquez is serving as the designated hitter and batting ninth Friday at Miami.
Cody Bellinger is back from paternity leave to reclaim the starting job in center field, but the Cubs have opted to keep the hot-hitting Velazquez around and active. Velazquez is 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored in five major-league games this year.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Belts homer in win
Rotowire
Velazquez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 5-2 win against the Padres.
After Eric Hosmer put Chicago on the board with a homer in the second inning, Velazquez made it back-to-back jacks with a long ball of his own. It was the second dinger of the campaign for Velazquez, who has spent much of his time this season in the minors. He's made his big-league opportunities count, though, as he is slashing .462/.563/1.077 with five RBI and four extra-base hits in just 16 plate appearances.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Gets another start in center
Rotowire
Velazquez is starting in center field and batting seventh Thursday afternoon against the Padres.
The 24-year-old has covered center field for the Cubs in each of the three games since Cody Bellinger went on paternity leave Tuesday, and he's making a case to remain in the majors through Bellinger's anticipated return Friday. Velazquez is 5-for-10 with a home run, two doubles, three walks, four RBI and four runs scored in four total big-league games this season.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Called up from Triple-A
Rotowire
Velazquez was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. He'll start in center field and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Padres.
He's joining the active roster as a replacement for Cody Bellinger, who was placed on the paternity list. Velazquez is 3-for-4 in two major-league games this season and has also been lighting it up in the minors, but he might only stay with the Cubs until Bellinger returns later in the week.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Velazquez to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.
Velazquez was sent down to make room for pitcher Brandon Hughes' (knee) return from the injured list. The outfielder played in two games, including going 3-for-4 with a grand slam while scoring three runs in Tuesday's contest against Seattle. He'll head down to get regular playing time with Iowa.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Called up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Velazquez from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
Velazquez had been off to a red-hot start at Iowa, putting up a 1.129 OPS with three home runs and one stole base. His stay in the majors could be a short one with Seiya Suzuki (oblique) due back soon.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Optioned to Triple-A level
Rotowire
Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Thursday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Velazquez drew 206 plate appearances on the North Side of Chicago last season, but he batted just .205/.286/.373 and is now on the outside looking in for a regular role after the club increased payroll with several significant signings over the winter.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: May be squeezed from roster
Rotowire
Velazquez may be the odd man out with the Cubs adding several new players in the offseason, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.
In the outfield specifically, Cody Bellinger is new, and he figures to start alongside Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ. Dansby Swanson, Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini are also new, so there's more competition for the DH role as well. That could push Velazquez off the roster entirely, though he could resurface at some point if that's the case. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2022 and ultimately appeared in 77 games for the Cubs.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Drives in four
Rotowire
Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and four RBI in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Reds.
The rookie outfielder got the start Sunday and capitalized with four RBI, his highest total since recording five on July 22. Two of the RBI came via a double in the first inning, and two came via a triple in the seventh. Velazquez has received sporadic playing time recently due to his uninspiring .203/.282/.374 slash line this season, but the big day Sunday may help his case to stay in the lineup the last week of the season.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Sitting Friday
Rotowire
Velazquez will sit Friday versus the Pirates.
Velazquez will take a seat Friday after he went 0-for-3 with two punchouts in Thursday's win. Michael Hermosillo is starting in center field and will bat ninth against Pittsburgh.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Not starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Velazquez isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Miami.
Velazquez is getting a breather after he went 0-for-10 with six strikeouts over the last six games. Christopher Morel will take his place in center field and bat ninth.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Tallies RBI in win
Rotowire
Velazquez went 2-for-4 with one RBI in Wednesday's win over the Mets.
Velazquez tallied an RBI single with two outs in the first inning to extend the Cubs' lead to six. The outfielder has been dreadful in his last 18 games, slashing .122/.217/.146 over 46 plate appearances. The 23-year-old rookie has been significantly more productive on the road, recording an .814 OPS over 94 plate appearances compared to a .474 OPS over 74 plate appearances at Wrigley Field.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Back in action Wednesday
Rotowire
Velazquez (illness) is starting Wednesday against the Mets.
Velazquez was out of the lineup for the last four games after being scratched with an illness Friday. However, he'll start in left field and bat eighth during Wednesday's series finale against the Mets.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Still not starting
Rotowire
Velazquez (illness) isn't starting Monday against the Mets.
Velazquez is out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game after he was scratched Friday due to an illness, but he appeared off the bench Sunday and went 0-for-1. It wouldn't be surprising to see him available in a depth capacity once again Monday, but Rafael Ortega will remain in center field and bat sixth.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
Velazquez (illness) isn't starting Sunday against the Giants.
Velazquez was feeling under the weather Friday and was ultimately scratched from the lineup, and he'll remain out of the starting nine for a third consecutive game. Rafael Ortega is starting in center field and batting second.
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Cubs' Nelson Velazquez: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Velazquez (illness) isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Giants.
Velazquez was scratched from Friday's lineup since he was feeling under the weather, and he'll be excluded from the starting nine for a second consecutive game Saturday. Christopher Morel is starting in center field and batting ninth.
