Cubs Activate Jake Arrieta, Nico Hoerner, Dan Winkler from IL

The Cubs have activated Jake Arrieta from the IL to start Friday’s game in Detroit and have also activated Nico Hoerner to play second in the game. Righty reliever Dan Winkler was likewise activated and will be available out of the bullpen. In order to make room on the roster, relievers Brad Wieck and Jason Adam and outfielder Nick Martini have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

This gives the Cubs a little more depth on the roster after playing shorthanded in Cleveland when Wieck was called up to fill the void left when Jake Marisnick went on the shelf. Kris Bryant then left Tuesday’s game due to allergy-related sinus issues and was pulled following a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday after taking a pitch to the left wrist.

Ian Happ was eligible to return Friday but is still a bit behind as he deals with a rib contusion suffered in the same collision that resulted in Hoerner’s IL stint. The Cubs have been snakebit in center, which is why Bryant will be out there again Friday, so getting Happ back at least allows them some breathing room out there. Now they just need to hit the damn ball a little more frequently.