As expected, the Cubs made two roster moves prior to Sunday night’s game against the Reds.
RHP Brian Schlitter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. To make room on the active roster, OF Junior Lake was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. The lack of innings from the starting staff over the past five days forced the Cubs to bring in a reliever. The Cubs are currently in a stretch of 20 games in 20 days. The next off day is not until June 29.
The 29-year-old Schlitter joins the Cubs for his third stint in the big leagues this season. Schlitter will be available for the Cubs Sunday night when they play the Reds at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs active roster currently stands at 14 pitchers (nine relievers, five starters) and 11 position players.
In 14 games with the Iowa Cubs this season, Brian Schlitter is 2-0 with five saves. Schlitter has allowed two runs on 13 hits with 14 strikeouts and eight walks in 16 innings. At the Major League level, Schlitter has allowed six runs on 12 hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings over nine games (0-2, 8.10 ERA, 2.10 WHIP).
Junior Lake has struggled at the big league level. Over his last nine games, Lake is 6-for-27 with two doubles and one home run. Lake has walked two times with 12 strikeouts (.222/.276/.407) and really seemed to revert back to his old habits after the home run in Miami that led to the benches and bullpens clearing.
The Cubs will have to bring up a position player at some point soon. OF Matt Szczur can be recalled on June 17. The Cubs could decide to give INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara another look in the big leagues. In his last 12 games, Alcantara is hitting .319/.385/.553 (15-for-47) with four doubles, two triples, one home run, five walks and 15 strikeouts for a .938 OPS