CHICAGO – The Cubs pieced together a schedule for that included a brief stint with Triple-A Iowa and a return to the big league club by this coming weekend in Cincinnati. The specific plan has now been altered a bit due to rainy conditions in Omaha, Neb.

“The weather’s not cooperating,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.

The I-Cubs’ game in Omaha on Tuesday was postponed due to rain, throwing a wrench into the plans to have Swanson play back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday. Barring another day of inclement weather, Counsell said Swanson would play Wednesday as scheduled, but then Chicago’s staff will discuss the next step.

There is still a chance that Swanson – on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique injury – will be activated Friday, when the Cubs begin a three-game road series against the Reds. The shortstop has been symptom-free, per Counsell, and has returned to regular defense and hitting work in his daily workouts with no issues.

Triple-A Iowa has games remaining through the weekend, but getting Swanson back in Major League games for the stretch run is important for the North Siders. The shortstop is one of the anchors to a Cubs’ defense that entered Tuesday leading MLB in both Fielding Run Value (+66) and Outs Above Average (+68).

“We’ll just have to make a decision and go from there,” Counsell said. “Obviously, the plans are going to get changed. He’s unlikely to play two games, so we’ll figure that out.”

Miller shut down for season

When the Cubs signed veteran reliever to a two-year deal during Spring Training, the idea was to have the righty spend this season rehabbing with the goal of returning in 2027. Miller’s comeback from right elbow surgery went so well that he appeared on the cusp of a return to the Majors this month.

Miller has pitched in 13 Minor League games on a Minor League rehab between Double-A and Triple-A, but the Cubs have decided to prioritize the long-term plan. Counsell said Tuesday that Miller will be shut down for the rest of this season.

“Shelby did an incredible job getting back,” Counsell said. “He’s had a successful month of September in terms of being healthy. At this point, the risk outweighs what reward there would be from keeping him going and pushing him to pitch in this environment. It’s just a risk that we agreed together not to take. We’ve got a healthy player. We’ve got a player ready for Spring Training going into next season, and we’re excited about that.”