The Cubs today announced they placed Jon Lester on the injured list and called up Tim Collins from AAA Iowa.
Lester injured himself running the bases during the home opener, and it was a shame because he had been pitching well. Before he left the game he had pitched two innings giving up three hits and a walk, but had also struck out four and had good stuff. Overall for the season he has a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings with 14 strikeouts and six walks.
Although he is likely to only miss a few starts losing Lester is still a huge blow to the Cubs already shaky pitching staff. Tyler Chatwood will make his first start of the season Sunday in Lesters place, but it is unknown who will fill in if he has to miss a second start.
To take Lesters place the Cubs called up Tim Collins from AAA Iowa. Collins had been signed to a big league contract towards the end of Spring Training, but had started the season at Iowa and had pitched well in his first few appearances. In three appearances he pitched two and two thirds innings allowing a run on two hits with a walk and three punch outs.
Last season he made his first big league appearance since 2014 and pitched alright in his return. In 38 appearances for the Nationals he posted a 4.37 ERA in 22.2 innings with 21 strikeouts to 12 walks. It was a solid return considering he was coming back from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries.
If he can prove he is fully back from his injuries than he has the potential to play a key role in the Cubs bullpen, but for now he's just a temporary call up unless he pitches very well then the Cubs could send down Randy Rosario and keep him up.
No comments:
Post a Comment