Cubs activate RHP Joe Nathan from 60-Day disabled list – Option RHP Adam Warren to Triple-A Iowa
The Cubs announced two roster moves Sunday morning. And as expected, RHP Joe Nathan has been activated from the 60-day DL. Nathan is in Milwaukee and will be available out of the Cubs’ pen for the finale with the Brewers.
To make room for Nathan on the 25-man roster, RHP Adam Warren was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
The Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 40 players. And the active roster consists of 13 pitchers (five starters, eight relievers) and 12 position players.
Joe Maddon will have three left-handers in his bullpen in Travis Wood, Clayton Richard and Mike Montgomery. Joe Nathan is added to the mix of right-handers that already included Justin Grimm, Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon.
Nathan is coming in with no expectations and willing to do whatever he is asked to help the Cubs win games.
Adam Warren was expected to make at least one more spot start over the first couple of weeks after the break. If Warren was penciled in to make a start those plans will have to be put on hold for at least 10 days. Warren struggled Saturday night and was charged for two of the runs that scored when Mike Montgomery gave up the three-run homer to Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Warren faced the Rangers on July 16 and was rather sharp in the 3-1 win over the Rangers.
The Cubs have not addressed the role Warren will have while he is with the I-Cubs. Warren is 3-2 in 29 games, one start, with a 5.91 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Warren has allowed 24 runs, 23 earned, on 31 hits with 19 walks and 27 strikeouts in 35 innings.
Updated 11:53am CDT – According to Carrie Muskat, Adam Warren will be used as a starter while he is down with Triple-A Iowa.