Cubs Release Veteran Player, Reset Rotation And More Notes

The last time we saw the Cubs play they were getting beat up by the Royals and I guess you can’t feel too bad about it as KC went on to sweep the Twins this weekend. Anyway, the Cubs had their series in St. Louis postponed after a few more Cardinals tested positive for the coronavirus and have Monday off as well.

Because of the three unexpected off days the Cubs have reset their starting rotation. Jon Lester was slated to start Friday, but now he’ll pitch in the first of two games in Cleveland.

Lester will be followed by Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish, Tyler Chatwood and then Alec Mills.

Cubs' revised rotation, beginning with Tuesday in Cleveland, will now be Lester, Hendricks, Darvish, Chatwood, Mills.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 9, 2020

After the quick two-game set in Cleveland the Cubs will return to Chicago for a 10-game home stand against the Brewers, Cardinals and White Sox.

On Sunday, the Cubs released veteran utility man Derek Dietrich.

Derek Dietrich has requested and was granted his release by the Cubs so he can pursue a big-league opportunity. Cubs 60-man at 59.

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) August 9, 2020

The Cubs signed him on the eve of Opening Day and many thought he’d be one of the first position players to get called up from the South Bend roster this season. However, Jason Kipnis has excelled so far when he’s been in the lineup and despite Nico Hoerner’s struggles, David Bote has been getting the job done at the plate as well.

It was already difficult to see how Dietrich could fit on the roster and his only chance was if several guys were struggling. That hasn’t been the case, so now Dietrich can go ahead and find a better chance to get a shot with another team.

And he has with the Rangers.

The Rangers have signed free agent INF Derek Dietrich to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Alternate Training Site. Dietrich has played with Miami and Cincinnati and hit a career high 19 homers with the Reds in 2019.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) August 10, 2020

Last week in Kansas City, David Ross started Hoerner in center field and it quickly became evident that Albert Almora Jr.’s role on the team had been reduced. If Almora isn’t starting against lefties, then he’s probably not going to be starting at all for the rest of the season.

Of course, it makes Ross’ job easier when Ian Happ continues to produce. He’s definitely earned that starting job in center, which Ross came out and said on Sunday.

David Ross, on Ian Happ who had 3 hits in a scrimmage today and has a 1.031 OPS in the early going:

"He's the real deal."

Says CF is his

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 9, 2020

Clarifying: A "plan" as in possibly giving Hoerner starts in CF vs. lefty pitchers. Ross said it's Happ's job on both sides of platoon right now.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 9, 2020

In 200 plate appearances since he was called up from Triple-A last July, Happ has slashed .271/.350/.576, with 14 home runs and a 139 wRC+.

Craig Kimbrel has been brutal for the Cubs to begin the 2020 season and they’re desperately trying to fix him. There’s been talk about his mechanics being off, leading to a lower release point and possibly tipping pitches.

The latest adjustment might be just getting rid of the change up that Kimbrel had been working on.

Ross said focus with Kimbrel is to get pitch characteristics back to prior levels. That means limiting use of changeup, which Kimbrel had talked about working in more.

"We found that changeup, at times, can drop his arm and really get some things that can create bad habits."

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 9, 2020

While the Cubs didn’t play any real games this past weekend they did have a scrimmage on Sunday.

Additional scrimmage info…

• Mills: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 58 pitches
• Underwood: 1 IP, 11 pitches
• Brothers (taxi squad): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 K, 20 pitches
• Happ: 3-for-3, 2 doubles, RBI

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 9, 2020

Hey, hey! Finally, Kimbrel with a scoreless appearance.