The Cubs added a big arm to the bullpen mix on Tuesday night. The Cubs acquired RHP Henry Rodriguez from the Nationals for minor league right-hander Ian Dickson. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated Eduardo Sanchez for assignment.
Henry Rodriguez was 0-1 in 17 games for the Nationals this season with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP before the Nationals designated Rodriguez for assignment on June 4. Rodriguez can bring the heat but has struggled with his command throughout his career. Rodriguez struck out 11 batters in 18 innings but walked 16 and uncorked two wild pitches. When the Nationals designated Rodriguez for assignment last week, this seemed like a move the Cubs would make.
The Cubs’ 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players with the two roster moves made on Tuesday night.
The Cubs dealt right-hander Ian Dickson to the Nationals for Rodriguez. The Cubs selected the 22-year old in the 35th round of the 2011 draft. Dickson was 2-2 in 11 games, three starts, this season for Kane County with a 6.88 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated recently acquired Eduardo Sanchez for assignment. The Cubs picked Sanchez up off waivers from the Cardinals on May 21. Sanchez struggled in six games with Iowa and posted a 0-1 record with a 9.82 ERA and a 2.32 WHIP (seven strikeouts, seven walks and 10 hits allowed in 7 1/3 innings).
Henry Rodriguez’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Ian Dickson’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Eduardo Sanchez’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Henry Rodriguez will likely take Zach Putnam’s spot in the Cubs’ pen. Zach Putnam left Tuesday’s game with pain in his right elbow. Putnam has had problems with bone spurs in his elbow in the past and said his right elbow felt like it was on fire. Putnam is scheduled to have an MRI on Wednesday.