MIAMI — Cubs rookie Luis Vazquez moved from third base to shortstop Saturday, taking ground balls at multiple positions after most of the team had retreated to the clubhouse after batting practice.
‘‘I’m just here to help contribute to the team, make that playoff push,’’ Vazquez said. ‘‘Whatever the manager decides, whatever position, I’m just here to play in whatever capacity and really help the team to make the playoffs.’’
Though a trip to the postseason might not be likely, the Cubs’ three-game winning streak has helped improve their chances. After a 14-2 rout of the Marlins — in which Vazquez was hit by a pitch after entering in the top of the eighth inning — the Cubs sat 5 1/2 games out of the last National League wild-card spot, which is held by the Braves. The Giants and Mets are between them.
With the move Friday to recall Vazquez from Triple-A Iowa and designate veteran David Bote for assignment coming on the heels of veteran reliever Hector Neris’ release and rookie Jack Neely’s promotion, it might be tempting to lump them together as a shift in focus to the future.
Perhaps a more accurate way to frame them, however, is as a continuation of the Cubs’ approach at the trade deadline. And the opportunity to claim right-hander Gavin Hollowell, a 26-year-old reliever who stands 6-7, off waivers played into the decision to designate Bote for assignment.
‘‘The strength of the farm system is in a different place now, where you can both give young guys opportunity while also supporting a big-league team,’’ second baseman Nico Hoerner said in a conversation with the Sun-Times. ‘‘We have shown this year, with guys being called up and having success, it can be both a look to the future [and] invaluable to the present.’’
Though president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell have said they don’t have more promotions from Triple-A scheduled, teams do get two extra roster spots in September — essentially one for a hitter and one for a pitcher. And a streak either way might dictate the Cubs’ plans, with big hitters such as Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara, in particular, waiting in the wings.
Regardless, Cubs fans will get the chance to see more of Vazquez, who will serve as a backup infielder.
Hoerner has fond memories of his first time playing with Vazquez. In 2019, a 19-year-old Vazquez was promoted from Single-A to Double-A, skipping High-A because of roster needs at Tennessee.
‘‘It was cool to watch him play and learn at a level that was much higher than anything he had experienced before and the way that he handled that and watched the game and improved,’’ Hoerner said. ‘‘And he’s turned himself into a really good player with power and defensive versatility. I’m excited to see what he can do.’’
Counsell cautioned there likely won’t be a lot of playing time available, but there ‘‘should be some starts.’’ That’s more than Vazquez had in his first big-league stint, when he
totaled one plate appearance in nine days.
‘‘It was really helpful,’’ Vazquez said. ‘‘The two weeks that I was up here, the opportunity to talk to my teammates in the dugout helped me mentally.’’
Vazquez has battled injuries since, landing on the injured list first for a sprained thumb and then for a strained left oblique. In the month he spent rehabbing in Arizona, he said he had his sights set on returning to the big leagues.
He has a .779 OPS this season at Triple-A, but it was 1.095 in the week since he returned from the IL.
‘‘Iowa has helped me a lot,’’ Vazquez said, ‘‘but I don’t want to be in Iowa anymore.’’