According to multiple reports, the Cubs selected the contract of LHP Tsuyoshi Wada and added the southpaw to the 40-man roster. The Cubs officially optioned Tsuyoshi Wada to Iowa, where he has been pitching all season. Wada had an option in his contract that if the Cubs did not add him to the 40-man they would have risked losing him.
The addition of Tsuyoshi Wada to the 40-man roster gives the Cubs another option for the big league rotation once the expected trades take place over the next five-plus weeks.
The Cubs cleared a spot on the 40-man roster earlier Sunday when Eli Whiteside was designated for assignment. With Wada added to the Major League reserve roster, the Cubs 40-man roster stands at 40 players.
The Cubs signed LHP Tsuyoshi Wada to a minor league contract in the off-season that included a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training. Wada struggled early in Spring Training before being reassigned to minor league camp.
Wada has been very good for the Iowa Cubs this season. Wada earned Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for April after posting a 3-1 record in four starts with a 0.68 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP. Wada gave up two runs on 14 hits with three walks and 29 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. Both runs Wada surrendered were on solo home runs. Wada struggled in May and is 3-1 in his last four starts with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP.
For the season, Tsuyoshi Wada is 7-4 in 14 starts with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. In 86 1/3 innings, Wada has given up 81 hits with 23 walks and 83 strikeouts. Wada has served up the longball this season. In his 14 starts, he has served up 10 home runs.