According to a report from the Yonhap News Agency, Chang-Yong Lim is eyeing a return to action later this summer. Lim signed a two-year minor league contract with the Cubs last December and he has been rehabbing at the Cubs’ facility in Mesa. Lim had his second Tommy John surgery in July of 2012. Reports suggested when Lim signed that he could be ready to pitch late this season. At the time the Cubs were targeting for him to be ready to pitch in 2014.
The 36-year old veteran reliever has been rehabbing in Mesa since February and progressed well enough to throw off a mound and increase his pitch count to between 50-70 pitches. The report indicated that Lim is not yet throwing at full strength.
Chang-Yong Lim’s agent estimated that his client could be ready by July but the Cubs might hold him back until early August before he begins a rehab assignment in the Cubs’ system. Lim is not on the Cubs’ 40-man roster.
The Cubs signed Lim to a two-year contract that reportedly included a $100,000 signing bonus. Multiple reports at the time suggested the contract could be worth $5 million if he is added to the Cubs’ 40-man roster and pitches in the big leagues. The two-year deal does not become guaranteed until the Cubs’ purchase his contract and until then he is paid the same as any other minor league player.
Chang-Yong Lim owns a career mark of 11-13 in 238 games with the Yakult Swallows of the Japan Central League with a 2.09 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.
Kyuji Fujikawa and Chang-Yong Lim are very familiar with one another from their days in the Japan Central League. Fujikawa won the saves title in 2011 with 41 and Lim finished fourth that season with 32. The two veteran relievers finished in the top five in saves over a four year stretch from 2008-2011.