The Cubs made their first roster move of the season Friday morning.
The Cubs placed RHP Justin Grimm on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 2 with right forearm inflammation. RHP Brian Schlitter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot in the bullpen. Schlitter is with the team in Denver and will be available this afternoon for Joe Maddon.
Brian Schlitter spent a majority of the season with the Cubs a year ago. Schlitter finished the season 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 3.61 FIP. In 61 appearances, Schlitter allowed 58 hits with 19 walks and 31 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings.
Schlitter was solid in his first 43 games last year and posted a 2-2 record with a 2.98 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Schlitter dealt with injuries (right shoulder inflammation that led to a stint on the disabled list in August) command issues and a heavy workload and was really ineffective after the break. Over his last 18 games, Schlitter gave up 26 hits in 14 innings with 10 walks and nine strikeouts (7.71 ERA, 2.57 WHIP).
Brian Schlitter struggled early in Spring Training and was optioned to Iowa to start the season.
Schlitter was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 16th round of the 2007 Draft and acquired by the Cubs the next season for lefthander Scott Eyre. Schlitter made his big league debut in 2010 with seven relief appearances. He is a native of Oak Park in suburban Chicago.
Justin Grimm landing on the DL with a right forearm injury is rather concerning. Grimm was absent from games in the middle of the Cactus League schedule. Grimm appeared in only six spring games and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in the Cactus League finale on April 1.
Grimm had yet to appear in a game for the Cubs this season. He went 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA (29 earned runs in 69 innings) and a 1.25 WHIP in 73 relief appearances for the Cubs last season.
The Cubs have not addressed Grimm’s injury or given a possible timetable for his return.