As evinced by his appearance in the game last night, Esmailin Caridad has been activated from the disabled list – just in time to have the infield defense crap all over his return.
In a corresponding move, the Cubs sent Jeff Gray down to AAA Iowa. Gray was struggling, with a 6.75 ERA, though most thought Justin Berg would have been the one sent down – the six runs Berg gave up last night probably frustrated the folks who preferred he go.
In other bullpen news, John Grabow is terrible. And hurt. Maybe. Hopefully.
The Cubs also sent struggling left-handed reliever John Grabow to Chicago for a precautionary MRI exam on his left knee. No problem was found.
Manager Lou Piniella said Grabow has complained of trouble pushing push off the rubber because of the sore knee and will get a couple days of rest. Grabow is 0-2 with a 9.26 ERA. CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Darn. I don’t wish the guy ill, but as presently constituted, his body is doing things that make him an awful, awful option. Thus, an injury helps in two ways: (1) it could explain his performance, and (2) it keeps him out of the game for at least a couple weeks.
At least we’ll get a couple Grabow-free days. Then again, given how horrific the bullpen performed last night without him, it might not matter.
[...] Cubs’ bullpen is in disarray following recent injuries and poor [...]