The Cubs have started to see some of the pieces they acquired in trades like Codi Heuer perform at the major-league level and will see another get his opportunity.
The Cubs recalled outfielder Greg Deichmann from Triple-A Iowa before Friday’s game against the White Sox. Diechmann, who made his debut starting in right field, was one of the two players acquired in the deal that sent left-hander Andrew Chafin to the Oakland A’s.
Diechmann, 26, was having a strong season in Triple-A, .291/.425/.439 with four homers, 36 RBIs and 54 walks. Diechmann has shown a knack for getting on base and despite only having four homers, he does have the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark.
“A quality at-bat playing right field today. I’m excited to get him out there, get my eyes on him for myself, but I’ve heard great things,” manager David Ross said at Wrigley Field.
Diechmann blooped a single into right field for his first Major League hit in the fourth inning.
In a corresponding move, the Cubs placed outfielder Jason Heyward on the 10-day injured list with left index finger inflammation.
New weapons in the bullpen making good first impression
The Cubs’ bullpen has a new infusion of electric stuff at the back end with right-handers Codi Heuer and Manny Rodriguez. Heuer features an upper 90s fastball with a plus changeup, while Rodriguez sits near 100 mph with his fastball with a devastating breaking ball.
Both have the stuff to close games for the Cubs over the next two months, but Ross sees his two young right-handers being able to do the job when he calls upon them.
Rodriguez picked up his first career save on Wednesday against the Rockies with Heuer, throwing a scoreless inning in the eighth against the heart of Colorado’s order. Ross has said he feel comfortable with either in the closer’s role.
“That definitely plays a part,” Ross said. “There’s also the part where I look at pitch characteristics and who is my best guy for the right hand in the pocket in the lineup. You got to trust that Manny’s closed in the minor leagues.
“So you balance that pocket of the harder part of the order with how they get out righties better. But you’re also on the back end like, ‘Can a young guy handle the ninth? Can we trust in that? And at some point, you just kind of go with what you feel.”
He said it
Third baseman Patrick Wisdom on late-season approach: “Just kind of simplified a lot of things. I caught myself chasing hits, chasing contact, chasing the pitchers’ out pitches. So I just have to get back to what I know I can do and just keep it simple.”
Did you know?
Right-hander Michael Rucker became the 1,000th pitcher to appear in a game in Cubs franchise history. Rucker made his major league debut against the Nationals on July 30.
