Cubs Activate Joc Pederson from IL, Option Keegan Thompson

The Cubs have activated Joc Pederson from the IL just in time to face his old team at Wrigley in what figures to be a wet three-game set. The former Dodger hasn’t been able to carry his success from spring training into the regular season yet and was batting just .137 with a 47 wRC+ and -0.4 fWAR prior to his injury. Now he’s got a chance to resume his role in left field, which will give Kris Bryant the chance to play third base again.

Or maybe he’ll just play center.

In order to make room on the roster, the Cubs optioned righty Keegan Thompson back to Triple-A. That gives them a short staff and bigger bench, allowing Nico Hoerner to remain with the team. What’s Eric Sogard still doing with the Cubs, then?