Cubs make roster moves involving La Stella, Grimm, and more |
The Chicago Cubs have not been playing well recently with the struggles of Brett Anderson and other starting pitchers that have a total rotational ERA of 4.79 coming into Sunday. Therefore, The team announced on Sunday a shakeup as infielder Tommy La Stella and reliever Justin Grimm were called up to the ballclub today to help with depth.
In addition to those two moves to balance out the roster numbers, struggling lefty pitcher Brett Anderson was sent to the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain and lefty reliever Rob Zastryzny was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa after his impressive 88 pitch relief effort to salvage the bullpen on Saturday. Zastryzny, 25, allowed three runs in 4.0 innings of work and is 0-1 with one save and a 6.88 ERA (13 ER/17.0 IP) in seven relief appearances with Iowa this season. Anderson was booed by the Wrigley Field as he allowed 19 runs in only 22 innings pitched as a newcomer this season with the Cubs. In his last two games, he has gotten only five total outs, given up 12 runs, and allowed 13 hits. In 2017, La Stella is 1-for4 with a RBI. For his career, he is a .258 hitter with four homers, 54 RBIs, and .337 on-base percentage. He has been in six games total this season at the major league level. La Stella now has former teammate Matt Szczur's locker at Wrigley Field. Grimm was just sent down to Triple-A Iowa on Friday as he been struggling this season with a 7.30 ERA including allowing five homers with 14 strikeouts and a high 1.70 WHIP in 12.1 innings. For his career, the 28-year old has 4.66 ERA with three saves, 305 strikeouts, and 1.40 WHIP.