Report: Cubs reliever sent down to minors |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today added right-handed pitcher Joe Smith to the 25-man roster. Right-handed pitcher Spencer Patton has been optioned to Triple-A.
Smith, who will wear uniform number 30, will be available for the Cubs tonight as they continue their three-game series against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. The 32-year-old Smith was acquired yesterday from the Los Angeles Angels for minor league righthander Jesus Castillo. He is 40-27 with a 2.94 ERA (182 ER/556.1 IP) in 623 major league relief appearances covering the last 10 seasons with the New York Mets (2007-08), Cleveland Indians (2009-13) and Los Angeles Angels (2014-16). Smith has reached 70 relief outings in each of the last five seasons and has pitched in both closing and set-up situations the last three years, totaling 26 saves and 56 holds since the start of the 2014 campaign. In his career, Smith has limited foes to a .226 batting average and .306 on-base percentage while allowing only 0.60 home runs per nine innings, contributing to a .326 career slugging percentage against. He has limited right-handed hitters to a career .214 batting average against. Smith is 1-4 with six holds, six saves and a 3.82 ERA (16 ER/37.2 IP) in 38 relief appearances with the Angels this season. In his last 17 outings in the last two-plus months starting on May 23, he has pitched to a 2.87 ERA (5 ER/15.2 IP). Patton, 28, is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA (7 ER/12.1 IP) in nine big league outings this season and has gone 1-0 with eight saves and a 0.90 ERA (3 ER/30.0 IP) in 29 relief appearances.es. The #Cubs today added RHP Joe Smith to the 25-man roster. RHP Spencer Patton has been optioned to @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/QIa5CQHREc
