The Cubs announced several roster moves throughout the system prior to the start of the draft.
The Cubs released veteran RHP Joel Pineiro. The team signed Pineiro to a minor league contract in April. After spending longer than expected in extended Spring Training, Pineiro reported to Double-A Tennessee after C.J. Edwards ended up on the disabled list. Pineiro struggled in four starts with the Smokies and was 0-1 in four starts with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. In 22 1/3 innings, Pineiro gave up 15 runs, 11 earned, on 29 hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts.
Corey Black was placed on the 7-day DL on Thursday in order to give his right hand time to heal from being hit with a comebacker in his last start. Black was named to the Southern League North Division All-Star team earlier in the week after putting together a solid start to his season.
Corey Black joins rotation mates C.J. Edwards, Pierce Johnson and Ivan Pineyro on the disabled list.
The Cubs reassigned INF Jonathan Mota and RHP Eduardo Figueroa to Double-A Tennessee from the Iowa Cubs. RHP Zach Cates was promoted to Double-A Tennessee from High-A Daytona. And RHP Justin Amlung was bumped up from Kane County to High-A Daytona on Thursday.
Josh Vitters
Josh Vitters was activated from the DL on Thursday after missing 11 games with a broken left toe. Vitters has struggled this season and in 43 games has managed a .208/.278/.375 line with six doubles and six home runs.
Vitters has struggled with injuries his entire pro career and his latest stint on the disabled list slowed him down even further this year.
Marcos Mateo
Marcos Mateo was activated from the DL on Thursday. The Cubs lost Mateo in the Rule 5 Draft in December to Arizona, but the Diamondbacks returned him to the Cubs before the end of Spring Training. Mateo was placed on the disabled list May 18 with a lower back strain. The 30-year old reliever has appeared in 14 games for the I-Cubs this season with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP (nine runs, eight earned, 14 hits, six walks, nine strikeouts, 13 1/3 innings).