The Cubs have made some roster moves today:
#Cubs roster moves: Ramirez to DL with abdominal pain. Medina is back. Also select contract of RHP Ben Rowen. Beeler to Iowa
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 29, 2015
I am not certain at this writing who is being removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Rowen.
Neil Ramirez warmed up Tuesday night, then sat down and did not come into the game in what might have been an obvious spot for him, so that started speculation he was hurt again. That appears to be correct.
Ben Rowen was signed by the Cubs July 5 after the Orioles released him. He appeared in eight games in relief for the Texas Rangers last year, and then, according to his baseball-reference page, went on this odyssey:
December 19, 2014: Released by the Texas Rangers. January 20, 2015: Signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers. April 9, 2015: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Chris O'Brien (minors) to the Baltimore Orioles for Brian Ward (minors), Ryan Webb and 2015 competitive balance round B pick. July 4, 2015: Released by the Baltimore Orioles. July 5, 2015: Signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs.
Rowen is 26 and was the 22nd-round pick of the Rangers in 2010. He's posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.964 WHIP in 34 Triple-A relief appearances this year combined between Norfolk (Orioles) and Iowa, with just seven walks in 46⅓ innings. And, as you can see by the photo, he's a sidearm/submarine thrower.
Can't hurt, I suppose. The Cubs will need another starter by Sunday; Medina can return because Ramirez is injured, but he's likely headed back to Iowa by Sunday.