The Chicago Cubs (44-64) will continue their tank-off with the Washington Nationals (36-75) Tuesday at 7:05 PM CT. Like most things this season, the Cubs are losing the tank-off and didn’t help things by beating the Nationals last night 6-3. Personally, I’m a fan of the Cubs re-signing Tyler Chatwood and having him pitch every game so Chicago can slide into the bottom three records. Just saying.
Anyway, the Cubs had some roster updates come to light before the game. You’ve probably already heard that Chicago claimed Franmil Reyes off waivers, sent Frank Schwindel to Triple-A Iowa, and announced the end of Jason Heyward’s time playing with the Cubs. Now, we have a couple more notes for you.
Franmil Reyes is Here
After claiming Reyes off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians, the Cubs have immediately added him to the MLB roster. Heck, they’re even starting him tonight against the Nationals. He will bat fifth and serve as the DH.
We’ll see if a change in environment can help bring Reyes’s bat back to life. As On Tap Sports Net colleague Ron Luce previously highlighted, Reyes is slashing .213/.254/.350 with just nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 70 games this season.
Wade Miley Makes Another Start at Iowa
Wade Miley was not on the move at the trade deadline mostly due to his injuries this season. In the four starts Miley has made for the Cubs, he has a 2.84 ERA and almost-career-best 1.211 WHIP. You have to imagine the Cubs hoped he would be a reliable rental starter they could flip for a prospect at the deadline. However, he just has not been able to stay healthy.
Now, Miley will have another outing at Triple-A Iowa as he continues to rehab from a shoulder injury. There is no real value for the Cubs to have Miley pitch at the major-league level this season, so it will be interesting to see how Chicago manages him as he gets healthy.
Manny Rodriguez Rehabbing
Speaking of working back from injury, Manny Rodriguez will be with the Chicago Cubs’ ACL team today, which is a great sign. For most of this season, Rodriguez had been dealing with an elbow strain. He put together a solid 2021 campaign in the minors and looked to be a potential bullpen piece in 2022.
As a right-handed pitcher, Rodriguez has an upper-90s fastball and a solid curveball. It will be intriguing to see how he can rehab and come back from his injury.
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