Did I get it all?
Together with the flurry of trades and signings today, the Cubs necessarily made a number of roster moves to accommodate all of those moves.
Chris Rusin – recently named a PCL All-Star – was called up from AAA Iowa, and he’ll start in now-departed Scott Feldman’s spot tonight in Oakland. The 26-year-old Rusin currently sports a 3.27 ERA (nice for the PCL) over 110 innings at Iowa, with a 2.86 K/BB ratio.
Dave Sappelt was also called up from Iowa, and he’ll slide onto the big league bench, and into the outfield rotation.
That move was partly animated by the Cubs’ decision to place Ryan Sweeney on the 60-day disabled list with his broken rib. With original estimates of a four to six week recovery time (plus a little rehab stint), this is definitely now on the pessimistic side of things. It’s a real bummer for Sweeney, who now won’t be eligible to return until the end of August.
Placing Sweeney on the 60-day opens up a currently unused spot on the 40-man roster, if my math is right (and, after a day like today, it may very well not be). So, it looks like the 40-man stands at 39. (UPDATE: The official release from the Cubs says that, at the end of today’s moves, the 40-man stands at 40. Not sure what I’m missing, but I trust the Cubs on this one.)
Acquired Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta was immediately optioned to AAA Iowa, where he’ll continue to start for now.
Acquired pitchers Pedro Strop and Matt Guerrier are expected to join the Cubs’ bullpen at some point this week. If true, that’s going to force the Cubs to bump two current relievers out. Maybe Rule 5 pick Hector Rondon finally takes a little hiatus? Maybe the Cubs decide to move on from Shawn Camp? Maybe the Cubs use Rusin as a spot starter tonight and then send him back down, allowing Carlos Villanueva to slide back into the rotation if he can get stretched out in time? Maybe the Cubs try to stash Henry Rodriguez?
We’ll see, but something will have to give.