The Cubs have claimed right-hander Bryse Wilson from the Phillies, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Philadelphia designated him for assignment earlier this week. In a corresponding 40-man move, the Cubs have designated righty Christian Roa for assignment. Wilson is out of options and will also need an active roster spot when he reports to the team.
The move is presumably a response to an awful run of injuries suffered by the Cubs. Earlier today, they placed both Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown on the injured list, Cabrera due to a hamstring strain and Brown due to a neck strain. As if subtracting two fifths of the rotation in one day wasn’t enough, the Cubs are playing a doubleheader today, putting extra strain on the pitching staff.
They are going to get some relief with Matthew Boyd expected to come off the IL tomorrow, but it’s challenging situation, especially when considering the other issues. Justin Steele has hit a few setbacks in his attempts to return from last year’s elbow surgery. He still has a chance to come back this year but likely only as a reliever. Cade Horton is out of the season due to Tommy John surgery. Jameson Taillon is also on the shelf with a hamstring strain.
Javier Assad took the ball for the first game of today’s twin bill. Shota Imanaga will start the nightcap. Boyd is penciled in for tomorrow. Colin Rea could follow. Even if that goes according to plan, they will need plans for Saturday and Sunday, as Assad and Imanaga won’t be on regular rest until Monday.
Wilson, 28, could perhaps be part of the solution or at least provide a long relief arm for the bullpen. He has worked both as a starter and a reliever in his career. He has made 164 appearances over nine seasons, 57 of those being starts. In 463 innings, he has a 4.80 earned run average. His 16.5% strikeout rate is below average but he has limited walks to a 7.5% clip.
He began this year with the Phils on a minor league deal. He was released in early June and then re-signed to a new minor league deal, perhaps indicating there was some kind of opt-out in that deal. In the second deal, he triggered an upward mobility clause last week. The Phillies added him to their roster but bumped him off after one scoreless appearance of two innings.
In Triple-A this year, he has made 12 appearances, logging 54 1/3 innings with a 6.29 ERA. That’s obviously not a nice number but there is some fine print. His 23.5% strikeout rate, 8.5% walk rate and 52% ground ball rate are all average or better numbers. The ERA has been inflated by a .373 batting average on balls in play and 60.2% strand rate, which are both far to the unlucky side. His 4.06 FIP is far more optimistic.
Roa, 27, was just claimed off waivers last month. The Cubs have kept him on optional assignment, so he didn’t make an appearance for them in the majors. He has been riding the DFA carousel this year. He began the campaign with the Astros on a minor league deal and cracked the Opening Day roster. He has since gone to the Twins, Orioles and Cubs via waiver claims.
Now that he has been designated for assignment once again, he could be back on the wire in the coming days. He lacks big league experience, with just 11 2/3 innings under his belt, but clubs are clearly intrigued. A former second-round pick of the Reds, he posted a 2.83 ERA in 60 1/3 Triple-A innings last year. His 11.4% walk rate was high but he struck out 26.1% of batters faced.
This year’s results haven’t been as pleasant. Around the transactions, he has thrown 15 1/3 Triple-A innings with a 9.39 ERA. That number has been pushed north by a .421 batting average on balls in play and 58.3% strand rate. His 13.2% walk rate is way too high but he is striking out 30.3% of opponents. He is averaging about 95 miles per hour with his four-seamer and sinker while also throwing a slider and changeup.
Though the numbers aren’t great, he has some pedigree and a live arm. The fact that he has options means he can be kept in the minors. Perhaps that will help him find another landing spot with a club who likes the ingredients and has a plan in mind for how to combine them.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images
