The Cubs have designated catcher Chris Gimenez for assignment, per a club announcement. He’ll be replaced by fellow backstop Victor Caratini, who has been recalled from Triple-A.
Gimenez, 35, has delivered nothing in the way of offense this year for Chicago. Indeed, he has just four singles and three walks in 32 trips to the plate on the season. While the club obviously brought him up for other reasons — namely, his solid reputation as a handler of a pitching staff — that minimal output proved decisive.
As for Caratini, he’ll look to improve on his own tepid offensive work from earlier this season. He has mashed at Triple-A since being demoted, as he did in 2017, so there’s little for him to prove as a hitter at the highest level of the minors.
Caratina has been tearing it up at Iowa!!!
Caratini starting at first base today. Maddon using tomorrow’s off day to give Rizzo and Heyward back to back days off. Looks like Chris Gimenez has left David Ross’ position in Cub history safe.
Can we bring grandpa rossy back from the booth
He should be the bench coach. However. He still works for the Cubs as a special assistant to the GM and president of operations jed hoyer and theo Epstein. As well as ESPN.
If I recall correctly didn’t the Cubs sign Gimenez ahead of Darvish because the two had a good rapport?
I don’t know if that’s specifically why they signed him, but I do remember seeing a lot of speculation that having him gave them a better chance to get Darvish
It was speculative. But has Gimenez even caught a Darvish game yet?
No
Not for the Cubs, that is.
He did in parts of 2014 and 2015 in Texas. Gimenez was always a solid backstop, but his offensive skills are all but non-existent.
no one wants a catcher who can “handle a pitching staff” who can’t hit a lick.
That is the exact description almost every team has for a backup catcher. Thy obviously would prefer they are able to hit, but if they can handle a pitching staff and hit, they are usually starting.
Cleveland does. Why else would they keep Roberto Perez?
That’s describing back-up catchers in general.
Which team do you follow?
I follow the Orioles. Our starting catcher cant hit either.
Touche’
Wondering if this is another audition for Caratini to be the centerpiece of a deadline deal.
Very likely, although dealing Caratini would leave the Cubs terribly thin at the catcher position. Would likely need to take a Gimenez type guy back in a trade, or pluck one off the scrap heap (possibly Gimenez again).
Very tenuous behind the plate for about 48 hours.
its showcase time for caratini….
Blake Treinin..? Who you thinking? Cubs are actually looking like they could use another starter w Chatwood’s issues and Darvish’s health concerns… Fulmer looked pretty sharp against us yesterday until they finally broke thru in the 5th- he’d look nice in Cubbie blue…
The Cubs don’t nearly have the kind of assets needed to get Fulmer unless they dealt guys from their major league roster, which wouldn’t make much sense for them anyway
Why do the Cubs need another starter? Unless it’s an ace for the playoffs…which they aren’t getting…they have enough starting pitching to win the central comfortably.
Yet, they are not doing that.
Yu is hurt. Q is struggling, some and Chatwood is a mystery. Even Hendricks is off.
If they could get a starter and bump Chatwood until he figures it out, do it.
No Yu Darvish, no need for Chris Gimenez wasting a roster spot.
Twins could pick him up. They need some bullpen help.
Tim Federovicz called up. Gimenez leaving. No justice!
Who?
Isn’t he on the Astros now? But he was called up
He was excellent defensively and that is what a reserve catcher needs to be
Any offense is a plus
If Gimenez clears the waiver wire, any chance he could go back to Iowa?
Guess my question got answered. He is indeed headed back to Iowa. He cleared waivers.