Madrigal was optioned Thursday to Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
This is the corresponding roster move for Kyle Hendricks (shoulder), who is off the IL and making his 2023 debut Thursday night against the Mets. Madrigal wasn't seeing much playing time in recent weeks and heads to the minors having registered an ugly .247/.286/.301 batting line through 34 games (98 plate appearances) this season with the Cubs.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Productive in Friday win
Rotowire
Madrigal went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-1 win over the Phillies.
Madrigal was solid from the No. 9 spot as the Cubs got production up and down the lineup. He started at third base in this one, and Chicago should continue to work in both Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom at the hot corner, while Christopher Morel could be an option there as well. The crowded situation puts a cap on Madrigal's fantasy upside, though he's a capable performer when he starts.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Not in lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Madrigal is not in the starting lineup Wednesday at Houston.
Miles Mastrobuoni will make a second straight start at second base as the Cubs shuffle different names into the mix with Nico Hoerner (hamstring) on the IL. Christopher Morel is playing center field and batting leadoff while Cody Bellinger nurses a bruised knee. Patrick Wisdom is at third base.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Continues to fill in for Hoerner
Rotowire
Madrigal will start at second base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Astros.
Since Nico Hoerner landed on the injured list Friday with the left hamstring strain that had kept him out of the lineup since last Tuesday, Madrigal has settled in as the primary option at the keystone. He'll stick in the lineup for the fifth time in six games despite going 4-for-19 at the plate since Hoerner hit the shelf.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Starting again Sunday
Rotowire
Madrigal is starting at third base and batting eighth in Sunday's game against the Marlins.
For the second straight day, Madrigal gets the start at third with Patrick Wisdom on the bench. The latter has a .590 OPS over his past 12 contests, though he does have a team-high 11 home runs. Madrigal has better contact and base-stealing skills, so it will be interesting to watch what the Cubs prioritize moving forward.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Starting at third Sunday
Rotowire
Madrigal is starting at third base and batting ninth in Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
The Cubs are using Patrick Wisdom in left field with Ian Happ getting a breather, so Madrigal will take over at the hot corner. Wisdom remains the team's regular third baseman, but his ability to play in the outfield gives the club some flexibility and allows Madrigal to see regular playing time. The latter has earned it with a .324/.359/.432 slash line across 37 at-bats so far.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Covering third base
Rotowire
Madrigal is starting at third base and batting ninth for the Cubs in Friday's game versus the Dodgers.
The Cubs are going with a right-handed heavy lineup against southpaw Julio Urias. Madrigal is off to a solid start at the plate this season as he sees the occasional start at third and second base, sporting a .323/.364/.387 slash line.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Two hits, two RBI
Rotowire
Madrigal went 2-for-4 with a walk and two RBI in Wednesday's 12-2 win over the Athletics. He was also caught stealing.
Madrigal batted eighth but was still able to put together a strong fantasy effort. He's now appeared in 12 of the team's 17 games, seeing time at both second and third base. Madrigal is batting a solid .345, though his ceiling will remain capped as long as he's in a utility role with the Cubs.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Starting again Sunday
Rotowire
Madrigal is starting at third base and batting ninth in Sunday's game against the Brewers.
That's consecutive starts for Madrigal, who faced righty Brandon Woodruff on Saturday and will see lefty Eric Lauer on Sunday. It seemed like Patrick Wisdom, who started on Opening Day, would be the top option at third base, but it's Madrigal getting the chance Sunday after also playing there Saturday, though Wisdom will start in right field. Edwin Rios should also factor in against righties moving forward, making the hot corner very fluid in Chicago.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Making first start
Rotowire
Madrigal is starting at third base and batting eighth in Saturday's game against the Brewers.
Madrigal didn't play in Thursday's opener, but he'll take over at the hot corner for Patrick Wisdom on Saturday. It appears that Madrigal, Wisdom and Edwin Rios could all share time at third base this season, which could cap the fantasy value of all three players for the time being.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Could mix in at third
Rotowire
Madrigal is expected to be part of a timeshare at third base for the Cubs along with Patrick Wisdom and Edwin Rios, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Madrigal is likely to face "starters with great swing-and-miss stuff," while Wisdom and Rios figure to form a more natural platoon against certain lefties and righties. How exactly this shakes out remains to be seen, and it seems like Madrigal's playing time may be sporadic. However, the 26-year-old can also play at second base, so he may get more starts if he moves across the diamond for Chicago.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: May hit leadoff on occasion
Rotowire
Madrigal likely won't have an everyday role in 2023, though he could hit leadoff when he does play, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Madrigal's path to an everyday role has become clouded with Dansby Swanson now in the fold and Nico Hoerner still around, though Madrigal should still rotate in at several positions. Chicago manager David Ross may choose to use Madrigal in the leadoff role from time to time, which would boost his fantasy value when he does find his way onto the lineup card.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
Madrigal and the Cubs agreed on a one-year, $1.225 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The 25-year-old struggled to stay healthy in 2022, batting .249 with seven doubles, seven RBI, 19 runs and three stolen bases over 209 at-bats in 59 games with the Cubs. With the addition of Dansby Swanson this offseason, Madrigal does not have direct path to a starting spot in the infield, though he will likely rotate in and out of the lineup in a variety of spots including designated hitter in 2023.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Done for 2022
Rotowire
Cubs manager David Ross said Tuesday that Madrigal (groin) won't return this season, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Injuries have been an issue for Madrigal in all three of his big-league seasons, and this year a couple different issues limited him to only 59 games. He will finish 2022 with just a .587 OPS, but he did hit an even .300 in August -- the month in which he recorded over a third of his at-bats. Madrigal should be back at 100 percent well in advance of spring training, and he figures to get a chance to compete for a starting job at second base.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
Madrigal was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right groin strain Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Madrigal exited Friday's matchup with a groin issue, and he'll be sidelined for at least a week and a half after being diagnosed with a strain. Zach McKinstry is starting at second base Saturday against the Giants and should see the majority of the playing time at the keystone during Madrigal's absence.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: On bench Saturday
Rotowire
Madrigal (groin) isn't starting Saturday against the Giants.
Madrigal was removed from Friday's matchup due to right groin tightness, and he'll be held out of the lineup for at least one game. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Zach McKinstry will start at second base and lead off.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Exits with tight groin
Rotowire
Madrigal left Friday's game against the Giants with right groin tightness, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Madrigal missed time with a groin strain earlier in the summer, though that was on his left side. It's unclear if his current injury will force a trip to the injured list. Zach McKinstry replaced him at second base.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Not in Thursday's lineup
Rotowire
Madrigal isn't starting Thursday against the Reds.
Madrigal started the last two games and went 2-for-9 with a double, two RBI, a steal, a walk and a strikeout. Zach McKinstry will take his place at second base and lead off.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Heads to bench Sunday
Rotowire
Madrigal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in St. Louis.
Madrigal will get a breather for the series finale while Zach McKinstry gets at turn at second base and as the Cubs' leadoff man. Over his past six games, Madrigal went 8-for-25 at the plate, but he produced no home runs, runs, RBI or steals during that stretch.
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Cubs' Nick Madrigal: Takes seat Wednesday
Rotowire
Madrigal isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays.
Madrigal started the last five games and hit .300 with a double, a run and two walks across that span. Zach McKinstry will take over at second base and lead off Wednesday.
