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  "path": "/cubs/2026/04/24/caleb-thielbar-the-latest-cubs-pitcher-to-head-to-the-injured-list",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-25T03:26:22.096Z",
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  "textContent": "<p>LOS ANGELES — If you’ve seen “Sinners,” you were reminded what it takes to get rid of vampires.</p><p>Nicky Lopez is no vampire, but it’s clear that when it comes to how many lives he has with the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs,</a> no one has driven a stake through his heart just yet.</p><p>“It feels unbelievable,’’ said the Naperville-raised Lopez, who was acquired — again — by the Cubs from Colorado, where he was playing in Triple-A Albuquerque for the Rockies and joined the big club Friday night.</p><p>“It feels like the first, second, third time I was with the team, a dream come true,’’ Lopez said. “It always is, to be able to put that jersey on. And I told you guys, like my grandpa is a die-hard Cubs fan, and he’s still with us, obviously.</p><p>“So whenever I can put a Cubs jersey on, it always makes me ride through him and the family, he said. Just again, to get that call from the Cubs — ‘Are you interested?’ It was a no-brainer.”</p><p>Lopez’s acquisition was one of a flurry of moves made by the Cubs, whose president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, is traveling with the club.</p><p>Lopez takes the roster spot of infielder Scott Kingery, who was designated for assignment two days after making two throwing errors at third base.</p><p>The Cubs’ ravaged bullpen took another significant hit when left-hander Caleb Thielbar, who had been filling in as the closer while Daniel Palencia works his way back from an oblique strain, went on the 15-day injured list. His roster spot was filled by well-traveled Vince Velasquez, the 33-year-old right-hander whom the Cubs signed this past offseason to a minor-league deal with a spring-training invite.</p><p>“It looks like it’s on the mild side,’’ manager Craig Counsell told reporters in addressing Thielbar’s injury. “He had a similar injury in 2022, and this looks like a less serious version. We’re hoping that he’ll be out fairly close to the minimum.’’</p><p>Velazquez’s 17 innings leads the Iowa Cubs. He has a 1-0 record with a 3.71 ERA.</p><p>Thielbar left Thursday’s extra-inning win over the Phillies in obvious discomfort. He had made 11 appearances for the Cubs, recording two wins and two saves.</p><p>To create a spot for Velasquez, the Cubs transferred reliever Porter Hodge, who is recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, to the 60-day injured list.</p><p>Going back to spring training, the Cubs have lost pitchers Shelby Miller, Jordan Wicks, Hodge, Cade Horton, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Ethan Roberts, Palencia and Thielbar.</p><p>“Injuries add up at some point, right?’’ Counsell said. “And we’ve lost a lot of bodies, and it’s hard when you’ve lost that many bodies, it gets hard to keep replacing them with the same quality, frankly, so the guys have done a great job.</p><p>“They’ve done a heck of a job. And frankly, we’ve got some tired guys right now as well, but they’re doing a heck of a job. And so we have not sacrificed any quality at this point. In my eyes, these guys have pitched great. They’ve done a heck of a job, and it’s one of the reasons why we’ve been able to put together this nice run.”</p><p></p><p></p><bsp-listcarousel class=\"PageListE\" data-module data-column-count=3 data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-hide-descriptions=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-c90005\" name=\"list-c90005\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"{borderColor=#dfdfdf, pageNumber=1, titleUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, inverseColors=false, footerBgColor=#000000, count=13858, title=Latest on the Cubs, bodyFont=font-3, showListNumbers=false, imagePositionHorizontal=null, rteBodyFont=font-3, headerBottomBorderColor=#111010, subTitle=null, stickyHeader=true, listTitleColor=#000000, tableCellBorderColor=#ccd1d5, relatedListFont=font-1, hideAuthors=true, tertiaryTextColor=#6c6c6c, buttonHoverTextColor=#ffffff, tableFont=font-1, carouselAutoPlay=false, pullQuoteIcon=[{image=null, narrowImage=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=null}], promoTitleFont=font-2, ctaButtonText=[], primaryTextColor=#2a2a2a, buttonTextColor=#ffffff, linkTextColor=#1a1a1a, hideTitles=false, items=[{title=Series against powerhouse Dodgers an important measuring stick for Cubs, type=Image, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/24/series-against-powerhouse-dodgers-and-important-measuring-stick-for-cubs, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, media=[{narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/14/97/0abfa16e4dee9dbbffd361b6baf6/screenshot-2026-04-24-at-10-14-48-pm.png, width=910, height=600}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/14/97/0abfa16e4dee9dbbffd361b6baf6/screenshot-2026-04-24-at-10-14-48-pm.png, width=910, height=600}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=Screenshot 2026-04-24 at 10.14.48 PM.png}], anchorId=promo-740000, authors=[{name=[{items=[Gordon Edes]}], bio=[{items=[Chicago Sun-Times sports contributor]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, jobTitle=[{items=[Gordon Edes is a sports contributor at the Chicago Sun-Times.]}], authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/gordon-edes, media=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/8c/3b/a9e4df4442f181af5f9e4e9e5510/image0.jpeg, width=1001, height=1331}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/8c/3b/a9e4df4442f181af5f9e4e9e5510/image0.jpeg, width=1001, height=1331}, alt=Gordon Edes}]}], _styledTemplate=null, imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, target=null, primaryMediaType=null, description=[{items=[The Dodgers had the highest OPS in baseball, .828. 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Oh, and is it too soon to talk contract extension?]}], title=Halfway to the Hall? Cubs' Craig Counsell's mini-milestone is reason to wonder, ampLink=null, media=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/6e/f9/a1c306f64af5ba50797ff0ac27c2/2270775098.jpg, width=4118, height=2745}, alt=Pittsburgh Pirates v Chicago Cubs, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/6e/f9/a1c306f64af5ba50797ff0ac27c2/2270775098.jpg, width=4118, height=2745}}], publishDate=April 23, 2026 09:57 AM, audio=[], audioDuration=null, category=[{items=[Cubs]}], authors=[{authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/steve-greenberg, bio=[{items=[Steve Greenberg is a sports columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times.]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, name=[{items=[Steve Greenberg]}], jobTitle=[{items=[Reporter/columnist, sports]}], media=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=258097893_10227367806079844_1724022405929237952_n.jpg, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/11/58/fc94fb4e49bebd891825a398c8d4/258097893-10227367806079844-1724022405929237952-n.jpg, width=750, height=750}, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/11/58/fc94fb4e49bebd891825a398c8d4/258097893-10227367806079844-1724022405929237952-n.jpg, width=750, height=750}}]}], _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/23/cubs-craig-counsell-halfway-to-hall-of-fame-cooperstown-baseball-mlb}], footerLinkColor=#ffffff, carouselSpeed=null, buttonHoverBgColor=#a91d23, rteHeadingFont=font-1, secondaryColor=#656565, hideCategories=true, _template=/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs, font3=Arial, font4=Source-serif-4, ctaUrl=null, hideImage=false, footerLinkHoverColor=#d3242c, _styledTemplate=/page/list/PageListE.hbs, hideAudioPlayback=false, description=[], listColumns234=null, showSecondItemMedia=false, footerTextColor=#ffffff, hideDescriptions=true, headerSecondaryBgColor=#000000, primaryTextColorInverse=#ffffff, titleColor=null, ampLink=null, listHeaderPosition=null, showActionBar=true, linkHoverColor=#d3242c, buttonBgColor=#d3242c, ctaTarget=null, suppressPagination=false, pagination=[{body=[Next Page], href=?p=2, _template=/link/Link.hbs, contentId=null, pianoSectionSlug=null, target=null}], promoButtonText=null, backgroundColor=null, headerSecondaryTextColor=#ffffff, anchorId=list-c90005, listTitleFont=font-2, headlineFont=font-1, promoDescriptionFont=font-3, primaryColor=#d3242c, pageCount=4620, slimFooter=false, hideHeadline=false, hideDates=true, headerBorderColor=#e9e9e9, ratingCardFont=font-1, titleTarget=null, tableCaptionColor=#626262, mobileCarousel=false, tableEvenRowsBgColor=#f9f8f3, containerTitleFont=font-2, listBorderColor=#dfdfdf, defaultArticleLeadStyle=standard, _parentFiles=[/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs]}\">Latest on the Cubs</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items\"> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Series against powerhouse Dodgers an important measuring stick for Cubs\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/24/series-against-powerhouse-dodgers-and-important-measuring-stick-for-cubs\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dbccbf5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/896x600+14+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F14%2F97%2F0abfa16e4dee9dbbffd361b6baf6%2Fscreenshot-2026-04-24-at-10-14-48-pm.png\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/423f605/2147483647/strip/true/crop/896x600+14+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F14%2F97%2F0abfa16e4dee9dbbffd361b6baf6%2Fscreenshot-2026-04-24-at-10-14-48-pm.png\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Screenshot 2026-04-24 at 10.14.48 PM.png\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/423f605/2147483647/strip/true/crop/896x600+14+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F14%2F97%2F0abfa16e4dee9dbbffd361b6baf6%2Fscreenshot-2026-04-24-at-10-14-48-pm.png\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/24/series-against-powerhouse-dodgers-and-important-measuring-stick-for-cubs\" >Series against powerhouse Dodgers an important measuring stick for Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The Dodgers had the highest OPS in baseball, .828. The Cubs (.784) were third.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1777087070000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/gordon-edes\" >Gordon Edes </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"697\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Can't-lose Cubs sweep Phillies for ninth straight 'W,' majors' longest streak this season\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/23/cubs-sweep-phillies-mets-winning-streak-dodgers-padres-next\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bbbf64a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7369x4933+15+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F69%2Fe4%2F1eeae6d14675ba6e9fb5a2fb7794%2Fphillies-cubs-baseball.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3dc86b0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7369x4933+15+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F69%2Fe4%2F1eeae6d14675ba6e9fb5a2fb7794%2Fphillies-cubs-baseball.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Phillies Cubs Baseball\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3dc86b0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7369x4933+15+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F69%2Fe4%2F1eeae6d14675ba6e9fb5a2fb7794%2Fphillies-cubs-baseball.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/23/cubs-sweep-phillies-mets-winning-streak-dodgers-padres-next\" >Can't-lose Cubs sweep Phillies for ninth straight 'W,' majors' longest streak this season</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">There’s a whole lot of good going on with the Cubs, who walked it off in the 10th inning with an 8-7 win Thursday at Wrigley Field.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776988330000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/steve-greenberg\" >Steve Greenberg </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"666\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Halfway to the Hall? Cubs' Craig Counsell's mini-milestone is reason to wonder\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/23/cubs-craig-counsell-halfway-to-hall-of-fame-cooperstown-baseball-mlb\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/207c1fb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4101x2745+9+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6e%2Ff9%2Fa1c306f64af5ba50797ff0ac27c2%2F2270775098.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3bf9362/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4101x2745+9+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6e%2Ff9%2Fa1c306f64af5ba50797ff0ac27c2%2F2270775098.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Pittsburgh Pirates v Chicago Cubs\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3bf9362/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4101x2745+9+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6e%2Ff9%2Fa1c306f64af5ba50797ff0ac27c2%2F2270775098.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/04/23/cubs-craig-counsell-halfway-to-hall-of-fame-cooperstown-baseball-mlb\" >Halfway to the Hall? Cubs' Craig Counsell's mini-milestone is reason to wonder</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">What does the Cubs’ skipper have to say about his career trajectory? Oh, and is it too soon to talk contract extension?</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1776956239000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/steve-greenberg\" >Steve Greenberg </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"681\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </bsp-listcarousel><p></p>",
  "title": "Caleb Thielbar the latest Cubs pitcher to head to the injured list",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-25T03:34:44.758Z"
}