The Cubs called up a pair of rookie pitchers for their doubleheader against the Cardinals on Tuesday.
Before the Cubs beat the Cardinals 2-0 in the afternoon game, they selected Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to make his major-league debut as the Cubs’ Game 1 starter and added Nicholas Padilla as the 27th man. To make room on the roster, the Cubs optioned reliever Kervin Castro to Triple-A and transferred outfielder Jason Heyward from the 10-day IL to the 60-day.
Assad held the Cardinals scoreless for four-plus innings. The 25-year-old recorded his first major-league strikeout against Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols.
“We all know the storied player that he is,” Assad said through team interpreter Will Nadal. “I was three years old when he debuted. So I never would have imagined that I would have been facing him, let alone getting that strike out.
“But not just him. Yadier Molina, Nolan Arenado, I faced those guys. Those are guys that I’ve looked up to, guys that I’ve watched play throughout my life, and I was just excited happy to get that.”
Assad also showed resolve with traffic on the bases. In the third inning, he walked back-to-back hitters, on eight straight balls, but worked out of the bases-loaded jam.
When Assad handed the ball over in the fifth inning, he received a standing ovation.
“It was fantastic,” Assad said of the moment. “It’s something that I really you know I can’t put into words.”
Padilla, 25, started the season in Single-A South Bend, but he quickly climbed the ladder, arriving in Triple-A in late July and posting a 1.69 ERA since then.
“Been hearing his name for a little while now,” manager David Ross said. “Somebody throwing strikes, the numbers are really good. I think it’s time to reward some of those guys. when you get an opportunity, that are performing and seeing what they can do with this level.”
Contreras out of lineup
Catcher Willson Contreras was out of the lineup for both games on Tuesday. His left ankle, which he rolled in the Field of Dreams game two weeks ago, felt stiff when he woke up Tuesday morning, according to the team, but he was available off the bench in Game 2.
He said the soreness had been improving before he re-aggravated it last Thursday in a Baltimore in a play at the plate.
“I think we have something special in here, to be honest,” Contreras said after that game. Every player comes in ... they’re willing to win, they listen, they want to win — we want to win. And that’s why I want to play through my injury.”
Miley stalled
Veteran lefty Wade Miley (left shoulder strain), after building up to 75 pitches in his last rehab start, has again stalled in his progress.
“We’ve thrown everything at it, and it’s been a really tough road for him,” Ross said. “He’s worked back and just gets to that final step and is not able to recover. So, the medical team’s putting their heads together to come up with a plan.”
Surgery has not been discussed as an option, according to Ross.
