We all suspected that last night’s start was Randy Wells’ last start with the Cubs this year, maybe ever, but it may have also featured his last pitches with the Cubs.
Today the Cubs designated Wells for assignment, and recalled Rafael Dolis from AAA Iowa.
The move will take Wells off the 40-man roster, which was arguably an unnecessary step (unless the Cubs are getting ready to add someone like, for example, Jorge Soler), but certainly understandable. The Cubs now have 10 days to trade, release, or waive Wells. I doubt they’ll be able to trade him (at least not for anything remarkable), and I similarly doubt they’ll release him. If he’s waived, the other 29 teams will have a chance to take him on for nothing – except for paying his salary. It’s conceivable that a team might take that chance, given his past success.
If he’s waived and not claimed, Wells could head to Iowa to keep on working. We’ll just have to wait and see how his story ends.
Dolis made the Cubs out of Spring Training and ascended to the closer’s job for a brief stint before wildness and over-reliance on his singularly-effective sinker got him knocked back down to the minors. There, he had a 2.92 ERA in 12.1 innings, striking out 13. He’ll pitch in middle relief for now.