It was a very brief, one-start stay as the back-up catcher, but Tony Wolters is heading out. Filling in for the would-be back-up Austin Romine, Wolters has been designated for assignment now that Romine is ready to debut with the Cubs.
Romine is in the lineup today, catching Jake Arrieta, and the Cubs will have seven days to trade, waive, or release Wolters. The open 40-man spot – which isn’t needed for Romine, who was already on the 40-man – could now theoretically be used to keep a guy like Pedro Strop around if the Cubs wanted (after the COVID stuff is in the rearview).
As for Romine, he was slowed in the spring by a knee injury, and the Cubs let him get up to speed at the alternate site in South Bend. He must be good to go!