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Wednesday, Cubs infielder Patrick Wisdom was placed on the injured list without a designation (in other words, no “10-day” or similar wording). Generally, right now that means the COVID-19 list, but that was not made official by the Cubs.
Today, there’s another such placement:
Cubs catcher Austin Romine will be going on the IL, notably without an injury distinction like Wisdom yesterday. Not official yet, corresponding move to follow.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) September 30, 2021
Here’s the corresponding move:
Cubs select Erick Castillo from AAA Iowa. Other players here are on taxi squad group.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 30, 2021
If a player is added to the active roster but is not on the 40-man roster, this can be done if the IL placement is to the COVID-19 list. That’s how Erick Castillo can be added. Last week, BCB’s Tim Huwe hoped Castillo would get a callup, and now he’s here.
Castillo was signed by the Cubs out of Venezuela in 2012 and this year has hit .199/.307/.246 (34-for-171) in 57 games split between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. Clearly, he’s on the roster just to provide emergency backup for Willson Contreras.
If Castillo gets into a game, he will be the 66th man to play for the Cubs in 2021.
The Cubs have called another catcher to Pittsburgh to be on the taxi squad:
He's headed to the big leagues! A HUGE congratulations to Tyler Payne, who has been called up by the Chicago Cubs. pic.twitter.com/Drmqpn9lN9
— WVSU Baseball (@WVSU_Baseball) September 30, 2021
Payne was the Cubs’ 30th (!) round draft pick in 2015 from West Virginia State University. This year he hit .231/.291/.363 (49-for-212) with 14 doubles and four home runs at Double-A Tennessee.
At least one other player has been summoned to Pittsburgh to be on the taxi squad:
Reliever Dakota Mekkes is here with the Cubs in Pittsburgh. Will be chatting with Ross soon for updates. Stay tuned…
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 30, 2021
Austin Romine ends his season (and likely his time with the Cubs) batting .217/.242/.300 (13-for-60) with two doubles and one home run.
As always, we await further developments.