Report: Cubs option Justin Grimm to Triple-A |
The Chicago Cubs today selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz from Triple-A Iowa. To make room on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Justin Grimm was optioned to Triple-A Iowa following yesterday’s game. Chicago’s 40-man roster now stands at 40 players.
Matusz, who will wear uniform number 15, will make the start for the Cubs tonight in their series finale against the Seattle Mariners at Wrigley Field. The 29-year-old Matusz is 27-41 with a 4.85 ERA (283 ER/525.2 IP) in 279 major league appearances, 68 as a starter, covering the last eight seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (2009-16). He made 68-straight starts to begin his major league career before converting to a reliever midway through the 2012 campaign, going 6-8 with a 3.47 ERA (66 ER/171.0 IP) in 211 relief outings since the conversion. In his career, he has limited left-handed hitters to a .211 batting average and .269 on-base percentage. Matusz began the 2016 campaign with the Orioles but was traded to Atlanta on May 23, designated for assignment the next day and released on June 1. He signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on June 15. Matusz made five minor league appearances (four starts) for the Cubs and posted no record with a 1.53 ERA (3 ER/17.2 IP), including no record and a 1.93 ERA (2 ER/9.1 IP) in two starts with Triple-A Iowa. Grimm, 28, has no record and a 4.72 ERA (18 ER/34.1 IP) in 45 relief appearances with the Cubs this season.
