The Cubs have placed catcher Austin Romine on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist sprain and selected the contract of fellow backstop Tony Wolters, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com was among those to report. The team also moved right-hander Jonathan Holder to the 60-day IL because of a shoulder issue.
This is the second IL stint of 2021 for Romine, an ex-Yankee and Tiger who joined the Cubs on a $1.5MM guarantee in free agency to replace departed backup catcher Victor Caratini. Romine has collected just nine plate appearances and one hit in a reserve role behind Willson Contreras.
Wolters also inked a major league pact with the Cubs heading into the season, after he opted out of a minors contract with the Pirates. The former Rockie appeared in three games with the Cubs earlier this season, but they outrighted him when Romine returned from his prior IL trip. Wolters is a well-regarded defender, though he has only mustered a .237/.323/.318 line with seven home runs in 1,237 plate appearances in MLB.
This man was JUST activated less than a week ago! If it’s truly a sprained wrist he’ll be on the shelf for more than 10 days for sure.
run it back
Yes coach. I did look bad in that last plate appearance. Yes I am 1-9 on the season. It’s that darn wrist. It hurts really bad.
Cubs are going to be an interesting team to watch at the trade deadline. They have a lot of piece that could be attractive to other teams, the obvious being Bryant, Baez and Contreras (I doubt Rizzo gets traded) but also Kimbrel (especially with how he’s been pitching) Arrieta, Williams has pitched better than his stats show, Brothers has been really good. Guys like Sograd, Rommie and Pederson are always in demand.
I think even if the Cubs are “in the hunt” they sell this year. Anything outside of a lead in the division at the trade deadline. Their starting pitching is too thin and their relief pitching without Wick isn’t deep enough either.
If I were Jed, I would shoot to lock up Bryant and Rizzo, every other pending free agent I sell for lottery tickets.