Ed Howard Returns to South Bend for Season Debut

Ed Howard hasn’t played affiliated ball since a freak hip injury ended his season with the South Bend Cubs on May 10 of last year. He made a full recovery after undergoing surgery and it was initially believed that he’d be ready for the regular season, but he remained in Mesa for the duration of extended spring training. After getting that additional runway, Howard has been assigned back to South Bend and is expected to make his season debut Tuesday night.

HE'S BACK‼️

2020 @Cubs 1st-round pick Ed Howard has been assigned to the #SBCubs. He is expected to make his 2023 season debut tonight against Lansing at @FourWindsField.#NextStartsHere pic.twitter.com/bq9YH8giaS

— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) June 6, 2023

The 21-year-old Chicago-area native was the Cubs’ top draft pick in 2020 out of Mount Carmel High School and he made his professional debut the following year at Low-A Myrtle Beach. Following an understandable adjustment period, he finished that first year strong and was promoted to open the ’22 campaign. Howard again stumbled out of the gate and hit .234 in April, then was picking things up in May before the injury shut him down.

It’s exciting to have the man they call Silk back on the diamond and it’ll be even more so if he’s able to put everything together at the plate.

Update: Howard went 3-for-5 with a double in the SB Cubs’ 13-9 loss Tuesday night.