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Thursday, we learned that Tommy Nance had been optioned to Iowa (via the Cubs transactions page), with no corresponding move announced. Friday, the Cubs officially recalled righthander Kohl Stewart from Iowa, announcing both moves via press release.
Stewart has started three games for the Cubs this year. The first one was pretty good, the other two, not so much. Overall: 5.68 ERA, 1.658 WHIP in 12⅔ innings. He’s got a 3.46 ERA and 0.846 WHIP in six appearances (five starts) for Iowa. He last pitched for Iowa June 27, when he threw four no-hit innings against Omaha, and a total of 41 pitches.
It would seem that Stewart is back on the roster to possibly pick up a few innings if either Alec Mills (Friday’s scheduled starter) or Adbert Alzolay (Saturday’s scheduled starter) can’t go deep into the game. I’m pretty sure David Ross is tired of having to yank his starter before the fifth inning; hopefully these games are the time when those guys can finally put together a five- or six-inning start.
There had been rumors that Nico Hoerner might be recalled from his rehab assignment for this game, but that did not happen.
The Cubs have 10 games remaining before the All-Star break. It feels as if there’s been a record number of transactions this year, though I don’t think anyone keeps track of such things. I’d expect more over the next few days, just because.
Today’s game preview will post at 4 p.m. CT.