The Chicago Cubs have reportedly made a series of roster moves here in the second half, just before the start of their big three-game series at Wrigley Field with the Texas Rangers.
In short, the first half of the moves includes Trevor Cahill heading to the disabled list with a knee injury (right patellar tendinitis), and Clayton Richard being activated from the disabled list to take his place (and Triple-A Iowa):
Clayton Richard activated off the DL and Trevor Cahill goes to the DL with right patellar tendinitis. #CubsTalk
— Cubs Talk (@CSNCubs) July 15, 2016
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Although he is heading to the pen, Richard was being stretched out in the minors, making four starts between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa in the past few weeks. Even still, he wasn’t expected to join the rotation upon returning, and was likely rebuilding strength and trying to recapture the success he found with the Cubs last season.
On Cahill, hopefully his injury isn’t too serious, because the Cubs won’t want to be too long without him. No, he hasn’t been the most productive contributor out of the pen this season, but he was the biggest one. In 2016, Cahill has already thrown 41.0 innings, which is a very healthy amount for a reliever in the first half. With the struggles in the rotation, Cahill’s presence and ability to throw multiple innings – several times a week – has been valuable.
The DL stint will be retroactive to his last appearance (July 8), so there’s at least some hope he won’t need the full 15 days to return. But without many details on the injury itself, it’s impossible to know.
Been hurting for a while. DL move retroactiveRT @whodatdere1: @ESPNChiCubs Didn't realize All-star break was so rough on the Knees,
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 15, 2016
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On the positional side of today’s transactions, the Chicago Cubs were expected to activate David Ross from the disabled list, before sending Munenori Kawasaki back down to Triple-A Iowa.
#Cubs awaiting David Ross to clear concussion protocol. If he does, he will be activated and Kawasaki officially optioned
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) July 15, 2016
And it sounds like that’s exactly what is going to happen:
Cubs news today: Trevor Cahill goes on the DL with a knee issue. Clayton Richard is being activated. David Ross… https://t.co/OtOj9P9K8G
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 15, 2016
Kawasaki received just one plate appearance in his time up with the big league team, and will now reportedly head back to Iowa to serve as extreme positional depth (something the Cubs have apparently already needed a lot of this season).
Ross reportedly returns from the 7-day disabled list, after suffering a concussion and returns to his role as the (2nd? 3rd? personal?) catcher for Jon Lester.
UPDATE: It’s all official and Joel Peralta has elected free agency, to boot …
#Cubs today activated C David Ross off the 7-day concussion DL & activated LHP Clayton Richard off the 15-day DL. pic.twitter.com/lbPiRPRIi4
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 15, 2016
RHP Trevor Cahill has been placed on the 15-day DL (retroactive to 7/9) with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. pic.twitter.com/sdomSscRHZ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 15, 2016
INF Munenori Kawasaki was optioned to @IowaCubs and RHP Joel Peralta has cleared waivers and elected free agency.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 15, 2016
