According to multiple reports, the Cubs optioned LHP Chris Rusin to Iowa to make room on the active roster for RHP Dallas Beeler. Beeler is starting Wednesday night in Cincinnati in game four of the five-game set with the Reds.
Arismendy Alcantara was officially recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Darwin Barney’s spot on the active roster for the next two days (Wednesday and Thursday). Darwin Barney was placed on the Paternity List and is expected to be back with the team for Friday’s game at Wrigley Field against the Braves.
Arismendy Alcantara is hitting second and playing second base in Wednesday’s starting lineup.
The Cubs optioned LHP Tsuyoshi Wada to Iowa. Wada was recalled for Tuesday’s game and could be added to the active roster as the 26th man for a scheduled doubleheader.
The Cubs active roster stands at 25 players and the Cubs’ pen is back to nine relievers, at least until Thursday when another roster move will have to be made in order to activate RHP Kyle Hendricks from the 40-man roster to make his big league debut against the Reds.
Chris Rusin was recalled from Iowa last Saturday morning and pitched out of the pen in relief of Carlos Villanueva. Rusin threw 73 pitches, 47 for strikes, over 3 2/3 innings. Rusin was not used again while with the big league team.
A report from Cubs.com indicated the team sees Chris Rusin as an option for the bullpen and not in the starting rotation. If that is the case, as was reported, the Cubs should use him as a long reliever in Iowa in order to keep Rusin stretched out and get him used to the routine of a reliever.