According to multiple reports, RHP Justin Grimm has been assigned to Triple-A Iowa to begin a rehab assignment. As of Sunday night, Grimm had not been added to Iowa’s roster.
Grimm has been on the DL with right forearm inflammation since April 10, retroactive to April 2, and has not pitched in a game since the Cactus League finale on April 1.
Justin Grimm appeared in six Cactus League games and one B-game in the spring. Grimm was 0-1 in six Cactus League games with a 7.94 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Grimm allowed five runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
Three of the five runs he gave up in his last outing of the spring against the Brewers on April 1. And the other two runs were allowed on March 13 against the Indians. Grimm appeared in four spring games for a total of four innings in which he did not allow any runs. Grimm surrendered a grand total of one hit in those four games with one walk and one strikeout.
The Cubs claimed RHP Anthony Varvaro off waivers Sunday from the Red Sox. Varvaro is out of minor league options and will have to be added to the 25-man roster. The front office could try to sneak him through waivers, but that is very unlikely at this point. The Cubs have not announced the plans for Varvaro or the corresponding roster move to add him to the mix in the bullpen.
The front office is looking for solutions in the pen. The best option is getting a healthy Justin Grimm back in the big leagues.
Buster’s Top 10
After finishing with a disappointing 3-3 record on the six game homestand, the Cubs slipped in Buster Olney’s power rankings. A week after being ranked as the seventh best team according to Olney, the Cubs slipped two spots to No. 9.
Buster Olney’s Top 10: Cardinals, Royals, Dodgers, Astros, Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Rays.
Joe Maddon Tampering Charges
The Cubs were cleared of the tampering charges filed by the Rays for the hiring of Joe Maddon last week. And Nick Cafardo provided the backstory of why the investigation took so long to conclude.
According to Nick Cafardo, Stuart Sternberg was not happy with Major League Baseball’s initial ruling. Apparently, the Cubs were cleared of the charges but Sternberg “did not like the first verdict” and asked for MLB to continue the investigation.
The Cubs front office had to turn over laptops, computers and cell phones to MLB to assist in the investigation.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer maintained from day one the Cubs followed the rules and did not contact Joe Maddon or his agent until the paperwork was filed with Major League Baseball.
Tyler Colvin
Former Cubs top prospect and first round pick (2006 draft) Tyler Colvin found a new organization.
The White Sox signed Colvin to a minor league contract. Colvin will report to Triple-A Charlotte and try to work his way back to the majors. Colvin joins a long list of former Cubs that are now employed by the White Sox.
Colvin spent last season in the Giants organization and played in 57 games. Colvin posted a .223/.268/.381 line with 10 doubles, three triples and two home runs. And Colvin received a World Series ring. Colvin signed a minor league contract with the Marlins in the off-season but did not make the team and was released on April 3.
In parts of three seasons with the Cubs (2009-11), Tyler Colvin hit .215/.274/.422 with 26 doubles, eight triples and 26 home runs for a .696 OPS.
The Cubs traded Tyler Colvin, along with D.J. LeMahieu to the Rockies for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers on Dec. 8, 2011.
News, Notes and Rumors
• Arismendy Alcantara went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI on Sunday and extended his hitting streak to six games. In 11 games for Triple-A Iowa, Alcantara is 12-for-43 (.279/.354/.605) with a double, two triples, three home runs, five walks and 11 strikeouts for a .959 OPS.
• During his post-game press conference Sunday, Jason Hammel said he dealt with a broken nail on his middle finger during Sunday’s outing. Based on the comment that he “didn’t want it to blister” points to a blister not forming on his pitching hand.
• RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (C.J. Edwards) picked up his first save Sunday with two scoreless innings against Birmingham. Edwards did not allow a hit or walk a batter and struck out two. In six relief appearances, Edwards has allowed nine runs, five earned, on eight hits with 10 walks and 13 strikeouts (3.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP).
• Kris Bryant is keeping his head up despite recent struggles according to a report from Comcast SportsNet. And Bryant is playing game of percentages according to ESPN Chicago.
• Update on Brewers’ shortstop Jean Segura who was hit in the head in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game by Pedro Strop. Segura experienced “some nausea and remained in Chicago for further tests” according to Adam McCalvy. Segura reported Segura was expected to travel to Milwaukee on Sunday night separate from the team.
• The Cubs giving the Brewers two out of three games over the weekend could not save Ron Roenicke’s job. The Brewers fired Ron Roenicke late Sunday night … a move the front office and ownership decided to make a week ago. Former big leaguer Craig Counsell will reportedly be named the Brewers new skipper on Monday morning. Reports Sunday night indicated Counsell will receive a multi-year contract.
• Joe Maddon preached patience with his young roster following Sunday’s loss to the Brewers. Maddon knows it is going to take time for the hitters to learn the pitchers. Maddon is not concerned. Maddon admitted the Cubs are not driving the ball like they are capable of doing. He thinks that will come in time but right now the inexperience is showing.
• Len Kasper talked to Addison Russell … click here for the video.
• Joe Maddon loves the fight and effort of his team.
And last, but not least, the Cubs showed their support of the Blackhawks and wore custom Hawks jerseys on the flight to St. Louis. Each jersey featured the players name and number he wears with the Cubs.
This Day In Cubstory
2005 – For the fifth time in big league history, a pair of 300-game winners squared off and Greg Maddux got the best of Roger Clemens in a 3-2 victory over the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
1999 – After 6,136 at bats without a home run with the bases loaded, Mark Grace hit the first Grand Slam of his career in a 12-11 Cubs win over the Rockies at Wrigley Field.
1982 – Matt Tolbert, born
1976 – The Illinois Legislature declared it Rick Monday Day to honor his patriotic gesture on April 25 of saving an American Flag from being burned by two protestors at Dodger Stadium.
1976 – Ben Grieve, born
1974 – Miguel Cairo, born
1971 – Joe Borowski, born
1963 – Braves pitchers committed six balks, three by Bob Shaw in the third inning, and issued eight walks and threw a wild pitch in a Cubs 7-5 win at Milwaukee. Lou Brock stole two bases for the Cubs.
1960 – Lou Boudreau was summoned from the radio booth to succeed Charlie Grimm as Cubs manager. Grimm replaced Boudreau on the mike as the Cubs topped the Pirates 5-1 behind Dick Ellsworth at Wrigley Field.
1959 – Cubs traded Bob Smith to the Indians for Randy Jackson
1937 – Rip Collins, Joe Marty and John Bottarini homered in the eighth inning in a 14-7 win over the Phillies.
1929 – Pitcher Pat Malone collected three triples and two RBI, Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler each doubled twice and Rogers Hornsby homered in a 16-0 victory over the Phillies at Baker Bowl. Cubs won the second game of the twin bill 9-7.
1923 – Marty Callaghan stole home in the 10th inning to help beat the Cardinals 2-1 in St. Louis. Hack Miller tied the game in the eighth inning on a pinch-hit homer.
1915 – Ox Miller, born
1897 – Cap Anson Day at West Side Grounds as the long-time Cubs player-manager was given a silver dining service and numerous other testimonials. Anson went 1-for-3 in a 5-2 victory over St. Louis.
1892 – Ted Turner, born
1891 – Vic Saier, born
1872 – John Malarkey, born