Nelson Velazquez by Rikk Carlson

MLB

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Ok, let’s do this…

In: Mark Leiter Jr., Nelson Velazquez, Matt Swarmer

Out: Chris Martin (Bereavement List), Jonathan Villar (10-day IL), Wade Miley (15-day IL retro to May 26th)

Good for Matt Swarmer.
He’ll throw strikes.
He’s tall and and with an over the top delivery the ball comes from a unique arm angle and release point.
Pretty good slider.
Competitor.
Consistent.
I think he gives the Cubs 4-5 solid innings tomorrow.

May 29, 2022

How far has Matt Swarmer come? Two years ago, he was pitching in a men’s wood bat league full of college kids and retired players.

He’ll be a big league pitcher tomorrow.https://t.co/Rpnp3fiQha

May 29, 2022

Anderson Espinoza, the lone healthy 40-man roster pitcher, has also been recalled from AA to function as the 27th man for the doubleheader today.

The Cubs have added Anderson Espinoza to the roster for today’s doubleheader.

If he gets into the game, he’ll join rare company. There cannot be many big league pitchers who had a four-year stretch during their MiLB careers where they didn’t get into an official game.

May 30, 2022

To make room on the 40-man roster for Swarmer, Ethan Roberts was transferred from the 15 to the 60-day IL.

That, I think, covers it.

But that isn’t the only big promotion news throughout the system…

AAA

Memphis 4, Iowa 2

Game Recap

Iowa fell behind early as the Redbirds pecked away at starter Luke Farrell for single runs in each of the first three innings. It was 4-0 heading into the 7th when the Cubs offense finally managed to threaten. The first two men reached and Iowa had the middle of their order coming up. But groundouts by Nick Madrigal and David Bote only managed to move one runner and bring one in. Nelson Maldonado followed with a single, but Dixon Machado was held up at 3rd. Both would be stranded when Robel Garcia popped out. Greg Deichmann did homer the following inning, but no other I-Cubs reached base in the 8th or 9th.

The I-Cubs did get continued good work from relievers Brendon Little and Erich Uelmen to help keep the game within striking distance in the late innings. Little threw 1.2 more scoreless innings, and the former 1st rounder has now run his scoreless streak to begin his season up to 9.2. He has been walking some guys, but the lefty has allowed just 3 hits thus far.

Erich Uelmen just struck out two in another scoreless outing for the @IowaCubs.

Last 6 outings: 10.1 IP, 1 ER, 11 K.

Season ERA down to 2.19.

May 30, 2022

Top Performers

Greg Deichmann: 2-3, HR (1), R, RBI, BB, SB (3) (.202)Zach Davis: 2-3, R, BB, SB (10) (.192)Cayne Ueckert: 1.2 IP, H, R, 0 ER, BB, 2 K (4.66)Brendon Little: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Eury Ramos has been promoted to Iowa. The hard thrower has been improving his breaking ball this year and has been looking good of late. He’s another guy pushing for a 40-man spot later this season or offseason.

A couple MLB rehab updates tonight for the @IowaCubs.

Nick Madrigal: 1-for-4, single, lineout
David Bote: 0-for-4, RBI groundout, walk, stolen base.

May 30, 2022

AA

Tennessee 7, Rocket City 4

Rocket City 3, Tennessee 2

Top Performers

Alexander Canario: 3-6, HR (4),m 2 R, 2 RBI, BB (.200)Levi Jordan: 1-2, HR (5), 2 R, RBI, BB, HBP (.380)Chase Strumpf: 1-4, HR (8), R, 2 RBI, BB (.221)Bradlee Beesley: 1-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI (.111)Darius Hill: 3-8, 2 RBI, SB (3) (.308)Cam Balego: 1-3, R (.111)Bailey Horn: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K (W, 1-0, 0.00)Dalton Stambaugh: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K (4.24)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Scott Kobos returned from the IL, giving up one run in one inning of work.

High-A

South Bend 7, Great Lakes 5

Game Recap

South Bend clustered together base runners in three different innings in order to post seven runs. They managed it without hitting a homer and with only one double in the mix. The scorching hot Owen Caissie reached all four times up, and Luis Verdugo reached in three of his four plate appearances.

Swing so nice he did it twice. pic.twitter.com/HlLyD5svCu

May 30, 2022

Jordan Nwogu has been heating up at the plate as well and he proved a great catalyst at the top of the order in this one.

Um, it’s been a quiet resurgence but Jordan Nwogu has has a very nice run the last three weeks. It’s all coming together for him. Hopefully, it carries over to June. pic.twitter.com/heZFRN4N2m

May 30, 2022

And not to be overlooked, the birthday boy Pablo Aliendo knocked in a big run as well:

Why I love Pablo Aliendo…

This is one mature piece of hitting for a guy that turned 21 years old today. Happiest of birthdays, my friend!!! pic.twitter.com/0CzpjFOygl

May 29, 2022

Top Performers

Owen Caissie: 2-2, 2 BB (.242)Jordan Nwogu: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB (.242)Luis Verdugo: 1-2, R, 2 BB (.226)Jonathan Sierra: 1-3, R, BB (.278)Yeison Santana: 1-4, R, RBI, 2 SB (2, 3) (.280)Yohendrick Pinango: 1-5, R, 2 RBI, SB (5) (.265)Jake Slaughter: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI (.246)Riley Martin: 3 IP, 2 H, R, 3 BB, 6 K (W, 3-2, 7.20)Sheldon Reed: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K (0.00)Walker Powell: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (S, 1, 5.84)

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Celebrate! The Cubs have officially announced that Pete Crow-Armstrong will be joining South Bend. My guess is there will be a cascade of promotions for CF up the system, but no corresponding moves have been made official yet.

Low-A

Augusta 3, Myrtle Beach 1

Game Recap

Not much to write about in this one. Lefty Luis Rodriguez dominated after starter Porter Hodge had his pitch count run up in the 2nd inning. Rodriguez isn’t overpowering but he’s got solid stuff and is one of those guys with great feel. He did not allow a hit over 4.2 innings of relief, while striking out 6. Hard throwing Frankie Scalzo Jr. followed with 1.2 hitless frames off his own.

Oh, and we got one last Low-A PCA highlight:

PCA can do it ALL. What a web gem!!!! pic.twitter.com/Rf9Q6mUqLj

May 29, 2022

Top Performers

Luis Rodriguez: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K (1.93)Frankie Scalzo Jr.: 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (7.04)Kevin Alcanatara: 2-4, R (.265)Kevin Made: 1-4, 2B, RBI