After Friday night’s game, it was announced that Javier Assad would be activated from the injured list to start Game 2 of today’s doubleheader, following Hayden Wesneski who starts Game 1.
It’s unfortunate regarding Luke Little, who had been performing well in relief. This leaves Drew Smyly as the lone left-hander in the Cubs bullpen, with Mark Leiter Jr. also being effective against left-handed batters.
Little suffered a left shoulder strain on July 13 and was placed on the 15-day injured list, a day after exiting a game on July 12 following just four pitches.
Manager Craig Counsell commented, “We’ll have more information over the All-Star break, but it appears to be a shoulder injury of some kind, which is obviously worrisome for a pitcher.”
This season, Little has posted a 3-1 record with a 3.46 ERA across 30 appearances.
On July 13, the Cubs recalled Palencia for Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Cardinals. Palencia’s last appearance had been on May 6, and he holds a record of 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA in seven relief outings this season.
Roberts, who was brought up before Game 1, was the corresponding move. He pitched two scoreless innings in the first game, allowing two hits and striking out three. Roberts has yet to concede a run in six innings over four appearances with the Cubs this season.
Assad returned from the injured list as the Cubs’ 27th man to start the second game of the Saturday doubleheader. He made his first start since June 23, having been sidelined by a right forearm extensor strain. Assad pitched 2 1/3 innings, yielding three runs on seven hits, but reported feeling physically sound afterward.
Bigge did not register a decision in his initial stint with the Major League club and held a 3.86 ERA over three appearances. Counsell explained the frequent movement between Triple-A and the Majors as part of Bigge’s development.
“I’ve really just talked to him about being on the roster, being sent down, coming back, likely being sent down again this year,” Counsell said. “This is the situation he’s in right now. The focus needs to be on continuing to work, improve, and understand that.”
