In a surprising move, the Chicago Cubs have designated Garrett Cooper for assignment, making room for Matt Mervis on the 26-man roster. Cooper's limited playing time with the Cubs saw him bat .270/.341/.432 in 12 games, starting nine times either as a designated hitter or at first base. Despite his contributions of a double, triple, and home run, the team has decided to make a change.

Mervis, who has been performing well for Triple-A Iowa, will now have the opportunity to showcase his skills in the major leagues. In 18 games this season, Mervis has impressed with a batting average of .288, an on-base percentage of .402, and a slugging percentage of .606. His impressive performance includes 19 hits, six doubles, and five home runs. The numbers are notably better than his Iowa performance last year.

Although Mervis made his Major League Baseball debut last May with much fanfare, his initial stint did not meet expectations. He struggled at the plate, batting just .167 with three home runs and 32 strikeouts in 27 games. However, with the upcoming series against the Astros, who are starting three right-handed pitchers, and facing the right-hander-heavy Red Sox in their next matchup, Mervis is expected to receive significant playing time as a designated hitter over the next week or so.

Fans are hopeful that the talented Mervis will excel in his second chance in the big leagues. The Cubs, along with their supporters, are eagerly anticipating his contributions to the team. As for Cooper, his future with the organization remains uncertain as he navigates the assignment process.

In a separate development, Hayden Wesneski, who had an impressive performance at Arizona last week, will be recalled to replace pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who is heading to the 15-day injured list. The Cubs are confident that Wesneski's skills will help fortify their pitching staff for upcoming challenges.

As the roster changes take effect, the Cubs continue to assess and adjust their lineup to stay competitive in the league. Fans anxiously await further updates and hope for positive outcomes from these adjustments.