PITTSBURGH -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after straining his right hamstring running the bases in the Cubs' 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.
"We did some work on it yesterday (Monday), so I was feeling good this morning," Szczur said before Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh.
Taking Szczur's place on the roster is veteran outfielder Ryan Kalish, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa, where he was hitting .368. It's Kalish's second stint with the Cubs, having played for them in 2014 before taking 2015 off after undergoing knee surgery. He has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, which began in Boston when current Cubs President Theo Epstein drafted him in 2006.
"Close friends were wondering maybe it's time to move on," Kalish said. "But I just couldn't have that."
Kalish was about to join an independent minor league team when the Cubs watched him in a workout in early March and then signed him to a minor league deal. He'll provide insurance in the outfield, where the Cubs have lost Kyle Schwarber and now Szczur. Szczur was off to a fast start, compiling 10 RBIs in limited playing time. He hopes to return as soon as he's available to come off the DL.
Meanwhile, Kalish said he is just excited to play for Joe Maddon.
"He just wants to make you comfy, and that's amazing," Kalish said.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Kalish, the Cubs moved minor leaguer Christian Villanueva to the 60-day disabled list.
