The Cubs made three roster moves on Thursday morning. The Cubs purchased the contract of RHP Zach Putnam from Triple-A Iowa, added him to the 40-man roster and called him up from Triple-A Iowa. To make room on the active roster, the Cubs optioned RHP Alex Burnett, who they claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Monday, to Triple-A Iowa. Burnett made his Cubs’ debut in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game and allowed one hit over his inning of work.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Zach Putnam, the Cubs transferred Kyuji Fujikawa to the 60-day DL. The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players.
Zach Putnam has shown steady improvement this season pitching out of Iowa’s pen. Putnam was close to breaking camp with the Cubs but the team chose to take Hisanori Takahashi to Pittsburgh for Opening Day.
Putnam has pitched in 17 games and is 1-1 with a 3.26 EA and a 1.35 WHIP (22 strikeouts, six walks and 20 hits surrendered in 19 1/3 innings.
Zach Putnam’s Page on Baseball-Reference