Another day, another Cubs pitcher joins injured list

This has been quite a week for the Cubs. Monday marked the seventh straight day a new pitcher was added to the active roster.

All told, the transaction wire included two injuries and two call-ups before the game against San Diego. Reliever Ethan Roberts (right forearm inflammation) went on the 15-day injured list, while utility man Matt Shaw (left hand sprain) was added to the 10-day.

Pitcher Gavin Hollowell and outfielder Kevin Alcantara were brought up from Triple-A Iowa.

Shaw hurt the hand on a swing in Sunday's game at Milwaukee. Manager Craig Counsell is optimistic Shaw will be swinging the bat again by the weekend and could be looking at a minimum stay on the IL.

Roberts had been one of the rare reliable members of the bullpen, but gave up runs in his last three outings, while being used three times in four days.

“I don't think we have anything serious here,” Counsell said. “We've got to give him a break, basically. But he's got some symptoms.”

This is Hollowell's fourth call-up this season. He has a 6.23 ERA in four appearances at the big-league level. Alcantara appeared in 12 games when he spent a few weeks on the Cubs' roster.

A couple other injury updates: Reliever Daniel Palencia (right flexor strain) began throwing Monday. Starter Jameson Taillon (left hamstring strain) is slated to throw a live bullpen Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

For history buffs, here's the list of Cubs' pitching transactions over the past week:

June 22: Signed ex-Cub Drew Pomeranz as a free agent, but he went to Iowa, so that doesn't count.

June 23: Activated Jayden Murray, optioned Hollowell.

June 24: Placed Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera on injured list; recalled Hollowell, Tyler Ferguson and Vince Velasquez; claimed Bryce Wilson off waivers from Phillies.

June 25: Activated Matthew Boyd, traded for David Peterson, optioned Hollowell and Ferguson.

June 26: Placed Phil Maton on injured list.

June 27: Placed Hoby Milner on injured list; recalled Ferguson, optioned Murray.

June 28: Recalled Jordan Wicks, designated Velazquez for assignment.

Despite a tumultuous week of pitching health, the Cubs managed a 6-1 road trip against the Mets and Brewers. The rotation seems a little bit normal, with Shota Imanaga, Boyd and Colin Rea set to throw against the Padres, followed by Peterson's second Cubs start on Friday against St. Louis.