Cubs News: Craig Kimbrel headed to IL, reliever recalled |
CUBS PLACE RHP CRAIG KIMBREL ON 10-DAY I.L.,
RECALL RHP Duane Underwood JR. FROM TRIPLE-A IOWA Monday, August 5, 2019 CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today placed right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation (retroactive to August 4) and recalled right-handed pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. from Triple-A Iowa. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Brad Brach cleared waivers and has been granted his release. Underwood will be available for the Cubs tonight when they begin their three-game series against the Oakland Athletics at Wrigley Field. Underwood, 25, joins the major league roster for the second time this season, as last week he spent July 30 at the big league level but did not appear. Last season, Underwood made a spot start in his major league debut, June 25 in Los Angeles, allowing one run in 4.0 innings against the Dodgers in a 2-1 loss before he returned to Triple-A the next day. The righthander began this season in Iowa’s starting rotation prior to transitioning to the bullpen in late May. In 19 relief appearances, he has posted a 2.83 ERA (9 ER/28.2 IP) and limited opponents to a .234 average, walking 10 and striking out 36, good for an average of 11.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. All told, Underwood is 2-6 with a 5.09 ERA (43 ER/76.0 IP) in 29 games (10 starts) for Iowa with 38 walks and 86 strikeouts in 76.0 innings. Selected in the second round of the 2012 Draft out of Pope High School in Marietta, Ga., Underwood is 34-41 with a complete game and 4.03 ERA (290 ER/648.1 IP) in 156 career games (125 starts). Kimbrel, 31, has gone 0-2 with nine saves and a 5.68 ERA (8 ER/12.2 IP) in 14 relief appearances with the Cubs this season. The #Cubs today placed RHP Craig Kimbrel on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation (retroactive to 8/4) and recalled RHP Duane Underwood Jr. from @IowaCubs. Craig Kimbrel says he would “absolutely” pitch through this knee issue if it was late September or October. The Cubs are hoping for a 10-day stay on the injured list for their $43 million closer. Kimbrel said he’ll keep throwing while sidelined. Said at time of injury was at or near full-strength, usual self. “I was getting real close. I was feeling really good.” Cubs assembling for team photo with rumors of Craig Kimbrel joining Contreras on the IL, he looked OK walking out there for what it’s worth pic.twitter.com/GqWTTrV0XE Contreras said he hopes to start jogging in week or 2. “I’ve got to be smart about it by the time I get back I’ll be 100 percent,”
RHP Brad Brach cleared waivers and has been granted his release. pic.twitter.com/aCtRRLKkyH