Cubs DFA Ildemaro Vargas, Promote PJ Higgins as Willson Contreras Deals with Hamstring Issue

The Cubs have promoted P.J. Higgins to fill in at catcher while Willson Contreras deals with a hamstring strain suffered during Saturday’s loss. In order to make room on the roster, Ildemaro Vargas has been designated for assignment. That move was probably coming soon anyway because Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal, and David Bote are all in various stages of return.

Higgins has been having an outstanding season for Iowa, batting .417 with a 1.069 OPS that includes a .569 slugging percentage despite just one homer. Eight doubles will do that for you. He’s also cut back on the strikeouts while maintaining a high walk rate, making him a very tough plate appearance for Triple-A pitchers.

This could be a taste of things to come for Higgins and the Cubs if the season plays out the way many believe it will, which means Contreras will be gone by the end of July.