Cubs outfielders Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki nearing return from injured list

Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photos

Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger (rib fracture) and right fielder Seiya Suzuki (strained left oblique) are progressing in their recovery. On Saturday, both hit and did defensive drills. Suzuki took batting practice for the first time Wednesday in New York.

“Belli is a little bit ahead of Seiya,” manager Craig Counsell said. “But we’re just going through baseball activities, more activities every day.”

Counsell said Suzuki likely will have a rehab assignment but Bellinger might not. Both could be activated from the injured list this week.

The Cubs are being cautious with Bellinger, who has a history of lingering injuries that have affected his performance since his time with the Dodgers. The rib fracture is about pain tolerance.

“The issue we’re dealing with is that asking a player to go do that means that you risk him having to change things to compensate for that [injury],” Counsell said. “And that’s why we still have to be cautious with it because almost the worst thing to do is to put him in a position where he’s having to compensate for an injury.”

Bullpen troubles

The Cubs’ bullpen woes continued in their 6-5 win Saturday over the Brewers. Right-hander Keegan Thompson — pitching on one day of rest for the second time this season — didn’t record an out in the seventh inning, allowing four runs (three earned).

Fastballs in the heart of the zone hurt Thomspon as the Brewers routinely made hard contact. After former closer Adbert Alzolay blew a save Friday, the bullpen is looking shaky outside of Mark Leiter Jr. Hector Neris, who has assumed closing duties, gave up a run in the ninth but earned his sixth save of the season.

“Keegan didn’t have his best day,” Counsell said. “But Mark came in, pitched with some traffic and the tying run on base in the seventh. But then a quiet eighth inning, which was really important.”

The Cubs are navigating murky waters with their bullpen. They’re still searching for reliable arms outside of Leiter.

Neris walked the first batter he faced and allowed two hits, but he buckled down to seal the game.

“One of his really good traits is that you know he’s been in every situation in the game and the game never speeds up on him,” Counsell said.

Mastrobuoni returns

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said, “What’s up, cuzzo?” as he walked to the locker of second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned designated hitter Matt Mervis to Iowa. Mervis struggled during his brief major-league stint, slashing .115/.148/.154 in 26 at-bats.

“Matt struggled, and it was a nine-game sample,” Counsell said. “In the end, we’re DHing him and looking for production, but we just didn’t get it. He just went through a stretch where it didn’t play here.”

Patrick Wisdom was the DH on Saturday. The Cubs also have rookie Alexander Canario, who has some pop and can be the DH.