The Cubs today announced a big change to the bullpen. The Cubs placed Clayton Richard on the disabled list with a blister on his left middle finger. Adam Warren was sent down to Triple-A Iowa, where he will stretch out as a starter. The Cubs intend for him to make a start sometime in the stretch of 24 games without an off-day that the Cubs have coming up.
Replacing Richard and Warren on the roster is a pair of relievers, Gerardo Concepcion and Spencer Patton. The Cubs signed Concepcion out of Cuba in 2012. He's struggled in the minors until midway through last year, when he seemed to turn a corner. This year between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa, Concepcion has thrown 35 innings and has posted a 1.29 ERA. He's struck out almost a batter an inning with 34 while walking only 14.
This is Patton's second trip to the majors this season, although he only faced two batters against the Nationals on May 7 and failed to retire either of them. The Cubs acquired Patton from the Rangers over the offseason from minor league infielder Frandy De La Rosa. This year in Iowa, he's pitched 26 innings and had posted a 1.06 ERA. He's struck out an impressive 42 batters while walking just nine He's been Iowa's closer for most of the season with eight saves in nine chances.
Patton pitched parts of the last two seasons for the Rangers with mixed results.
Concepcion will need to be added to the 40-man roster.
Because of this breaking news, the Game Preview for tonight has been moved back to 5:30.