Dennis Wierzbicki - USA Today Sports
Dennis Wierzbicki - USA Today Sports

Cubs make several roster moves


by - Senior Editor -

CINCINNATI – The Chicago Cubs today placed left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny on the 10-day disabled list with a back strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Justin Hancock from Triple-A Iowa. Additionally, the Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Cory Mazzoni from Triple-A. Right-handed pitcher Luke Farrell has been optioned to Iowa.

Both Hancock and Mazzoni will be available for the Cubs this afternoon as they conclude their four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Hancock, 27, joins the Cubs for the third time this season after posting no record and a 1.50 ERA (2 ER/12.0 IP) in nine relief outings during his first two stints with the club from May 9-27 and June 19-21, his first season on a big league roster. He has gone 2-2 with a 4.57 ERA (11 ER/21.2 IP) in 18 relief outings with Iowa this year, striking out 27 batters in 21.2 innings pitched, an average of 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

The righthander was acquired by the Cubs from San Diego May 8, 2017 for outfielder Matt Szczur. Hancock combined to go 2-4 with four saves and a 4.46 ERA (19 ER/38.1 IP) in 33 relief outings between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa last year. He was a non-roster invitee to Chicago’s major league spring training in 2018.

Hancock is 28-35 with four saves and a 3.97 ERA (239 ER/541.2 IP) in 167 career minor league appearances, including 90 as a starter, in eight minor league seasons in the Padres and Cubs organizations. He was originally selected by San Diego in the ninth round of the 2011 Draft out of Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill.

Mazzoni, 28, also joins the Cubs for the third time this season, as he has gone 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (1 ER/7.2 IP) in seven relief outings during his previous stays on May 7 and from May 30-June 11. He has gone 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA (11 ER/25.2 IP) in 17 relief appearances with Iowa this season. The righthander has made 21 career major league relief appearances with San Diego (2015, 2017) and the Cubs (2018), going 1-0 with a 12.21 ERA (33 ER/24.1 IP).

Overall, Mazzoni is 30-17 with nine saves and a 3.79 ERA (165 ER/391.2 IP) in 133 career minor league appearances, 53 as a starter. Mazzoni was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on November 6, 2017 from the San Diego Padres, was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 27 and claimed off waivers again by the Cubs on March 29.

Mazzoni is a native of Evans City, Penn. and was originally selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2011 Draft out of North Carolina State University.

Farrell, 27, is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA (10 ER/20.0 IP) in 13 outings (one start) with the Cubs this season and 0-2 with a 4.94 ERA (13 ER/23.2 IP) in five starts with Iowa.

Zastryzny, 26, is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA (1 ER/5.1 IP) in five relief outings with the Cubs this year and 2-1 with a 3.97 ERA (15 ER/34.0 IP) in 17 relief appearances with Iowa.

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