The Chicago Cubs made a series of moves before tonight’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals:
Luke Farrell was expected to make the start tonight for the Cubs as a fill-in, so let’s hope he’s got the good stuff working.
Farrell required a 40-man spot, which comes by way of transferring Kyle Hendricks to the 60-day IL. We already knew Hendricks was not coming back this year, so that’s purely procedural.
For his active roster spot, Farrell takes the place of Anderson Espinoza, who continues to ride the shuttle, and heads back to Triple-A Iowa (I’m not sure he’s ever actually MADE it to Iowa, amirite?).
Meanwhile, Steven Brault, who struggled last night, goes back on the IL yet again, this time with a shoulder issue. Bummer for him that he just can’t stay healthy, because there have been flashes of a good relief option.
Righty Kervin Castro, who’d just been optioned but probably never made it to Iowa, comes right back to take Brault’s place in the bullpen.
Of note in all this: no move to keep Nicholas Padilla up after his day as the 27th man yesterday during the double-header, so that means he heads right back to Iowa. I’d like to see him up again before the season is over.
Meanwhile, Javier Assad stays up after his start yesterday, which means he’s going to get another start this weekend. So that’s very cool.