Today the Chicago Cubs called up reliever Blake Parker to theoretically bolster a beleaguered bullpen. I say “theoretically” because I think this is more about the Cubs simply seeing what they have down at AAA in the ‘pen.
Parker, 26, has had a few looks with the Cubs in Spring Training, including this year when he became something of a favorite of Dale Sveum’s. Parker faced a numbers crunch, and didn’t quite make the cut. Since then, he’s dominated at AAA, with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.077 WHIP in 13 innings. His peripherals aren’t great (6.2 K/9, 3.5 BB/9), but he’s been getting results in the high minors for years. It was about time to at least give him a look. The big righty will serve in middle relief for now.
Parker will be added to the 40-man roster, which now stands at 39. (That’s according to the Cubs.com roster, but I’ll confess: I thought it stood at 40 before Blake DeWitt was outrighted, which would have made it 39 before Parker was added. I’m not sure where I went wrong.)
In a corresponding move, Scott Maine heads back to Iowa. His second stint with the Cubs this year was a short one – one day, to be exact. On that day, he hit a guy, walked a guy, and gave up a hit.
Also, as expected, Blake DeWitt has swallowed his pride (seriously: good on him, though I know the money helps) and once again accepted an assignment to AAA Iowa.