Cubs' Kyle Tucker nominated for Roberto Clemente Award, injury progress is slow

PITTSBURGH — As scheduling luck would have it, the Cubs got to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day in Pittsburgh, where the Hall of Famer and humanitarian spent all 18 years of his major-league career.

As part of the festivities, Major League Baseball announced each team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, a philanthropic honor. Right fielder Kyle Tucker got the nod from the Cubs.

“Us as athletes have a nice little platform to give back to the community and help out people that watch this game, and just try and spread some joy in their lives,” Tucker said. “And being able to use baseball in that sense is one of the responsibilities of us as players.”

The Kyle Tucker Foundation provides support to, and shines a spotlight on, hospice care, inspired by Tucker’s family’s experience when his grandfather Duane entered hospice at the end of his life.

Outfield still short

Tucker (strained left calf) went through some light running Monday, manager Craig Counsell said, but has not made much progress. He’s eligible to return from the injured list Tuesday, but that timeline remains unlikely.

“We’ll go day to day on what we’ve got, and we’ll see if we can move forward,” Counsell said. “If not, we’ll just be kind of status quo until we can have some improvement on the symptoms.”

Right fielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game as he continued to recover from an illness. But with his symptoms improving, he at least warmed up with the team on the field after joining the group late Sunday to make the flight to Pittsburgh.

Counsell said Suzuki was diagnosed with “a version of bronchitis” and he had been battling body aches.

“Just got to get his strength and energy back,” Counsell said.

Soroka returns to mound

Right-hander Michael Soroka has talked during his rehab for a strained right shoulder about a desire to prove the Cubs were right to acquire him at the trade deadline.

Six weeks after his injury-shortened debut, the Cubs reinstated Soroka from the 15-day IL and optioned right-hander Ben Brown to Triple-A Iowa. Soroka pitched two innings in relief in the Cubs’ 4-0 win over the Pirates, walking two and striking out two. His fastball touched 97 mph and averaged 95.

“Just looking to go let it rip and compete with this team,” said Soroka, whose velocity improved as he went through his throwing program with a healthy shoulder. “It’s nice to feel like myself again — or at least what I was the first half of this season.”

Amaya on assignment

Catcher Miguel Amaya (sprained left ankle) is set to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Iowa, serving as the designated hitter. The Cubs hope that by late in the week he also will be able to log some innings behind the plate.

“He’s not 100%,” Counsell said, “but we felt like, ‘We’ve got to get you into a game, and we’ve got to get you some game at-bats, we’ve got to get you some game reps, if the postseason roster is a possibility.”

Palencia progressing

Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (strained right shoulder) progressed to throwing off the mound Monday, which “went well,” according to Counsell. Palencia is scheduled to throw a full bullpen session Wednesday.