The Cubs made two roster moves on Friday and updated the status of one of their injured pitchers.
Steve Clevenger was activated from the 60-day DL and optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Clevenger was on a rehab assignment with the I-Cubs that expired last week. Clevenger reportedly tweaked his left oblique just before his rehab assignment expired. Clevenger was expected to be examined by team doctors before the Cubs activated him from the DL.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Clevenger, Zach Putnam was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Putnam was placed on the 15-day DL
Scott Baker could join the Cubs’ rotation by the end of August. Baker is scheduled to throw his second simulated game on Saturday in Mesa. Baker threw 20 pitches in his first simulated game with good velocity and the Cubs are hopeful he can keep progressing to the point he can be with the team by late August.
When Spring Training began, the Cubs planned for Steve Clevenger to begin the year as the I-Cubs everyday catcher. The thought at the time was that Clevenger would be able to work with J.C. Boscan on his defense while receiving the at bats he needed to help with his development. But when it looked like Ian Stewart would not be able to start the year on the active roster, the Cubs shifted gears and Clevenger started taking reps at both third and first base. Clevenger broke camp on the Cubs’ active roster. Clevenger ended up on the DL two weeks into the season after suffering a severe left oblique strain.
Steve Clevenger spent April and May at the Cubs’ facility in Mesa before beginning a rehab assignment with the I-Cubs on June 3. Clevenger was hitting .327/.426/.596/1.022 with five doubles and three home runs in 15 games before feeling something in his side that had to be checked out.
With Friday’s roster moves, the Cubs’ 40-man roster stands at 40 players.