Chicago Cubs Lineup and Roster Moves (5/8/22): Stroman to IL, Schwindel Optioned to Iowa, Steele Starting, Contreras Batting Cleanup

First, Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful, amazing mothers out there. If ever there was a day to celebrate, today is it. Thank you for all you do!

It’s not often we roll the lineup and roster moves into one post, and yet here we are. There’s been an unexpected twist heading into tonight’s nationally televised game. Marcus Stroman has been placed on the IL with no designation and Justin Steele will be starting in his place tonight. As Sahadev Sharma mentions below, the assumption is that the Stroman move may be COVID-related.

In addition, Frank Schwindel has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1523390218253967360

Marcus Stroman to the IL, no designation meaning he can come off at any time (Cubs can't confirm, but can only happen if COVID related). Justin Steele starts tonight. Frank Schwindel optioned to Iowa, Adrian Sampson has his contract selected

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) May 8, 2022

I’ll admit, these are things I was not at all expecting to see today. We’ll have more for you as the situation develops.

Rafael Ortega is back at the top of the order as the DH tonight, he’s followed by Seiya Suzuki in right, Ian Happ in left, and Willson Contreras catching.

With the demotion of Frank Schwindel, it would appear that the first base job will belong to Alfonso Rivas from here until the foreseeable future. Rivas is both an offensive and defensive upgrade at the positon, and he certainly deserves the opportunity. He’s batting fifth in the order today.

Nico Hoerner is batting sixth playing short, followed by Jonathan Villar at third, Jason Heyward in center, and Nick Madrigal at second.

Game time tonight is 6:08 and it will be televised nationally on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. The game can be heard on 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/NeZbuk4aLf

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 8, 2022