The Cubs optioned Mervis to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
There was a lot of hype around Mervis when he got the call to Chicago in early May, but he'll head back to the farm after posting a brutal .167/.242/.289 batting line with three home runs and 32 strikeouts across his first 99 big-league plate appearances. Cody Bellinger (knee) has been activated off the injured list in a corresponding roster move and is expected to factor in at first base moving forward.
Mervis went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Giants.
Mervis was in quite the rough patch over his last nine games, going just 1-for-26 with a 3:11 BB:K. He at least put an end to his power drought with a third-inning solo shot off Jakob Junis that ended up being all the offense the Cubs needed. Mervis has three homers over his first 24 big-league games, but he's struggled to a .173/.247/.309 slash line with 10 RBI and eight runs scored through 89 plate appearances. He is likely to remain in a strong-side platoon role while learning on the job against major-league pitching. Trey Mancini figures to play first base against most lefties.
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Cubs' Matt Mervis: Out against lefty
Rotowire
Mervis isn't in the Cubs' lineup Thursday against the Angels.
With the left-handed Reid Detmers set to start the game on the mound for Los Angeles, Mervis will retreat to the dugout. Trey Mancini will fill in at first base and bat seventh.
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Cubs' Matt Mervis: Sitting against lefty
Rotowire
Mervis is not in the starting lineup Monday versus the Padres.
Mervis will remain on the bench for a second game in a row as the Cubs face left-hander Blake Snell on Monday. Righty bat Trey Mancini will start at first base and bat seventh in the series finale with San Diego.
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Cubs' Matt Mervis: On bench versus southpaw
Rotowire
Mervis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
The 25-year-old will sit Sunday with lefty Ryan Weathers on the mound for San Diego, and it marks Mervis' fifth time on the bench in Chicago's last eight games. The first baseman is 0-for-16 with three walks and seven strikeouts dating back to May 24. Trey Mancini will receive the start at first base Sunday.
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Cubs' Matt Mervis: Sitting amid struggles
Rotowire
Mervis is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Rays.
Mervis has gone 0-for-11 with five strikeouts over his last four games and is slashing just .194/.275/.306 through his first 69 major-league plate appearances. Trey Mancini will start at first base for the Cubs on Tuesday and Christopher Morel will serve as the designated hitter.
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Cubs' Matt Mervis: Takes seat Sunday
Rotowire
Mervis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Mervis is currently in the midst of an 0-for-9 skid over the last three games, so he'll get a day off to clear his head Sunday. Trey Mancini will replace Mervis as the starting first baseman and will hit sixth.
Mervis went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run, three total RBI an additional run in Tuesday's win over the Mets.
Mervis was dropped to ninth in the order for the first time all season, but the 25-year-old responded with arguably his best game of the year. The Cubs have veterans Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini on hand, but Mervis figures to keep seeing regular playing time at first base as the team looks to get him acclimated to the MLB level, and efforts like this certainly help his cause.
