NEWSLETTER
When the Chicago Cubs sent disappointing pitcher Jeff Samardzija down to AAA Iowa yesterday, it was unclear whether he would revert to starting, or would remain a reliever. Reliever it is.
One thing the Cubs won’t do with Samardzija is put him in Iowa’s starting rotation. They’ll keep him in the pen. In the past, the Cubs have had Samardzija start in the minor leagues only to recall him to relieve at the big-league level. His numbers in 4 games for the Cubs were 0-1 with an 18.90 ERA and a 3.30 WHIP.
“We’ve got a lot of starting pitching here,” Lou said. “For him to get back quickly, out of the bullpen probably would be the easiest way.”
What does he have to do?
“Work on making better pitches, that’s all,” Lou said. “His command needs to improve. That’s probably the biggest (thing). Go down there and pitch out of the bullpen in the late innings to get him more prepared for this here.” DailyHerald.com Blogs.
One wonders whether the Cubs are looking into their future – a future with the current members of the rotation, and Andrew Cashner, and Jay Jackson, and so on – and don’t see a starting spot for Samardzija. Thus, they are not only trying to preserve any value he might have to the team this year, but also are hoping to recast him so that he has value to this team in the future.
