Cubs make four roster moves |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today selected right-handed pitcher Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-handed pitcher Kervin Castro to Iowa. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Nicholas Padilla has been selected from Iowa, optioned to Iowa and recalled as the “27th man” for today’s split doubleheader vs. the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Jason Heyward has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Assad will wear uniform number 72 and is slated to make the start and his major league debut in the first game of today’s doubleheader. Padilla will wear uniform number 58 and is also looking to make his major league debut. Assad, 25, is 5-3 with a 2.66 ERA (32 ER/108.1 IP) in 23 games (21 starts) between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa this season. He has struck out 111 batters compared to 35 walks with a 1.24 WHIP. He started the season with the Smokies and allowed two or fewer runs in seven-straight starts from May 26-June 29, posting a 1.73 ERA (7 ER/36.1 IP) during the run. Assad was promoted to Iowa on July 2 and in three August starts posted a 1.56 ERA (3 ER/17.1 IP) with a .170 average against and a .490 opponent OPS. Congratulations to former Bird Javier Assad who will make his MLB debut for the @Cubs today! @javierassad1 started 22 games Pelicans in 2019.
Signed by the Cubs as an international free agent out of Baja California, Mexico, in July of 2015, Assad owns a career 25-36 record with a 3.96 ERA (232 ER/527.2 IP), 479 strikeouts and a 1.37 WHIP in 112 games (104 starts) in the minor leagues. He was named a Midwest League mid-season All-Star in 2018 and a Carolina League mid-season All-Star in 2019. Padilla, 25, is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA (11 ER/43.0 IP) and four saves in 29 relief appearances between High-A South Bend, Tennessee and Iowa this season. He has walked 25 with 57 strikeouts, good for an average of 11.8 strikeouts per 9.0 innings with a 1.19 WHIP. Since Padilla’s promotion to Iowa in late July, he has posted a 1.69 ERA (2 ER/10.2 IP) with a .167 opponent batting average and a .279 opponent OBP in seven outings, walking six and striking out 14. Padilla was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round of the 2015 draft out of Grayson County College in Denison, Texas. The Cubs claimed him off waivers in the Triple-A phase of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft. In six minor league seasons, Padilla is 17-14 with six saves and a 3.22 ERA (83 ER/232.0 IP) in 101 games (27 starts). He has allowed nine home runs in 991 batters faced, walked 87 and struck out 236. Castro, 23, has made six relief appearances for Chicago since he was recalled from Iowa August 3, pitching to an 8.22 ERA (7 ER/7.2 IP). Heyward, 32, hit .204 (28-for-137) with five doubles, one triple, one home and 10 RBI in 48 games for Chicago this season prior to landing on the 10-day injured list June 27 with right knee inflammation. #Cubs roster moves:
We can vouch for his defense, too. ?? pic.twitter.com/NCXPPHF9BN
- RHP Kervin Castro optioned to @IowaCubs
- RHP Javier Assad selected from Triple-A
- OF Jason Heyward transferred to 60-day IL
- RHP Nicholas Padilla selected as 27th man pic.twitter.com/XVVjun0GSp
