NEWSLETTER
As expected, when information on the status of Rob Zastryzny, the Iowa starter who left his Thursday night start with an apparent injury, came available, it was Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register who gave us the news. And the news is good.
Iowa #Cubs manager Marty Pevey said there is "nothing particularly wrong" with LHP Rob Zastryzny. No plan to DL him right now. #MiLB
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 15, 2016
Apparently the problem was likely just fatigue. Looking at the numbers, that isn’t all that surprising. Between Tennessee and Iowa, Zastryzny has already tossed 113.2 innings this year. That isn’t a lot for a starter, but it is a large increase over his 2015 total of 90.2 (including the Arizona Fall League). His inning count is already about 25% higher than last year’s figure, and there is a lot of baseball left to be played. He’s on pace for 150 total innings or so, and that would be about as large an increase over last year’s totals as we are likely to see the Cubs allow in a single minor league season.
In other words, I would not be surprised to see Zastryzny held to a tighter pitch limit or moved to the bullpen at some point this year. He has back of the rotation potential and could be an option as soon as next season; the Cubs will not want to risk an injury by pitching him into arm exhaustion.[adinserter block=”1″]
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 7, Las Vegas 2
The Cubs took a score early and often approach in this one.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Montgomery 12, Tennessee 0
They were blown out, shut out, and committed five errors. This might be as bad as it gets for the Smokies.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Frederick 8, Myrtle Beach 7 in eleven innings.
The Pelicans allowed runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth as they let this one slip away.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Clinton 4, South Bend 2
The Cubs struck out sixteen times and only managed one extra base hit. That usually leads to a loss.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 9, Tri-City 7
At one point the Emeralds trailed by six runs.
Rookie: Arizona Cubs
Cubs 5, Royals 4
The Royals mounted a ninth inning come back that finished a run short.
Other Notes
Told that the game plan now is for Joe Nathan to pitch Saturday and Sunday. After that: possibly Chicago. #Cubs #MiLB
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 15, 2016
