Cubs update: Seiya Suzuki, Moisés Ballesteros, Michael Busch

Michael Busch finally started to hit

After being in a slump for the season’s first three-plus weeks, Busch broke out with a 333/.394/.600 week (10-for-30) against the Phillies and Dodgers, with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI.

Here’s his three-run shot against the Phillies on Thursday [VIDEO].

You knew a guy who hit 34 home runs last year couldn’t be held down too long, so hopefully this is a sign of better things to come for Busch.

H/T to Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong for playing strong defense all week.

Three down

Colin Rea got hit hard by the Dodgers

Rea had been really solid all year, no matter what role he was asked to perform, but the Dodgers hit him really hard — six hits, four walks and six runs over just 3.1 innings.

Hopefully, that’s just a glitch. Rea has been really good for the Cubs over the last year-plus. Assuming the rotation stays in order, his next start will be Friday at Wrigley Field against the Diamondbacks. Small sample size, but Rea has been better at home (2.79 ERA, 9.2 innings) than on the road (5.60 ERA, 17.2 innings). He was also somewhat better at Wrigley last year. Hopefully the home field will be friendly to him on Friday.

Javier Assad also had a rough time in L.A.

Assad also has a pronounced home/road split this year, again in a very small sample size, but that 10.95 ERA in 12.1 road innings is pretty ugly, and it includes six walks. He’s walked no one in 6.2 innings at Wrigley this year. Maybe try the glasses again, Javier?

The bullpen injuries are mounting

It’s getting difficult to even know who’s in the Cubs bullpen on a daily basis. Right now, only three relievers who were in the pen on Opening Day are still there — Ben Brown, Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb. (Colin Rea, who was in the Opening Day bullpen, is now in the rotation.)

Hunter Harvey, Riley Martin, Phil Maton, Daniel Palencia, Ethan Roberts and Caleb Thielbar, all guys who have contributed this year, remain on the IL, along with Jordan Wicks, who is currently on rehab assignment. Roberts’ injury was a laceration, not anything with an elbow or shoulder, and he could be back soon. Maton could be activated as soon as today. And there’s potential good news about Palencia:

So, perhaps a rehab assignment for Palencia could follow.

And even with all the injuries, the Cubs reeled off 10 straight wins. Impressive.