According to a report in Monday morning's Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs are expected to make some changes in the pitching staff on Monday. According to Mike Kelly the Cubs are expected to call up Rich Hill from AAA Iowa, send David Aardsma back to AAA Iowa and move Glendon Rusch to the bullpen....Rich Hill will take Rusch's spot in the rotation and could start Thursday's game in Arizona. The Cubs have not made an official announcement, but the announcement is expected before Monday night's game against the Pirates.
That would be three rookies in the starting rotation....check back later for updates and feel free to discuss during the day....also, don't forget to read the Monday morning 'You Know Better' Column....scroll down
Updated - 2:55pm C.T./3:22pm C.T./8:45pm C.T.
Update - The Cubs have not made this announcement official as of 2:55pm C.T. and as I check the normal channels, Rich Hill is still listed on the roster page for the Iowa Cubs and Glendon Rusch has now been announced as the starting pitcher for the Cubs on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks against former Cub, Juan Cruz. As soon as there is a formal annoucement you will be able to read about the roster moves here at the CCO and in 'Cubs News from the Wire'. Check back for updates as they roll in.
Update - There has not been an official announcement made as of 3:22pm C.T. but Rich Hill has been replaced in the starting lineup tonight for the Iowa Cubs against the Sounds in Nashville. Les Walrond is now listed as the starting pitcher. Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000 in Chicago is reporting that Hill will be called up and Aardsma sent down before Monday night's game against the Pirates. As soon as there is a formal annoucement you will be able to read about the roster moves here at the CCO and in 'Cubs News from the Wire'. Check back for updates as they roll in.
Update - The Cubs have made the announcement official and here is the report from Cubs.com. Rich Hill is scheduled to make the start on Thursday against the Diamondbacks.
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Neil:
I would have preferred a trade of Rusch, but this is a start. Also, whatever happened to "Belt-in" Dave Kelton?
Jim, David Kelton asked for and was granted his release from the Cubs organization, I believe last fall (don't quote me on the time frame). Kelton was in Spring Training with the Braves and played 17 games and hit .225. Kelton is now with the Richmond Braves(AAA) and here are his stats:
.233/.263/.301/0/7 in 20 games.
Also, there has not been an official announcement made by the Cubs on Rusch, I just updated the article...let's see what Jim Hendry as up his sleeve. According to the Trib, the Cubs had scouts looking at Tony Clark yesterday, this could get interesting.
Three rookie starters in a row could make for a long road trip for the bullpen.
Neil:
At this point, anyone is better than Rusch.
This story was played during spring training, this is not a surprise. Rusch & Williams were terrible.
I am not saying that Two-pitch Rich Hill and Angel Guzman are the savior but they are considered the future and guess what? The future is now. Thanks, for the info on Kelton. I still would rather have Conine than Tony Clark. Would you trade Hairston to Baltimore for Conine? With Roberts (2B) out and they are short on Outfielders this could be a match. Plus there would be more playing time for Neifi. I still think Dusty avoids playing Hairston and to be honest, I don't think Hairston's head is in the game all the time.