The Cubs announced that right-hander David Robertson has been activated from the injured list. In corresponding moves, righty Mark Leiter Jr. was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to open a spot for Robertson on the active roster, and a 40-man spot was created when outfielder Michael Hermosillo was moved from the 10-day injured list to the COVID-related injury list, as no designation was given for Hermosillo’s new assignment.
While the Cubs have a long list of injured players in general, Hermosillo joins Jason Heyward and Marcus Stroman as players sidelined without a specific reason, thus indicating an issue related to COVID-19. Robertson was also the non-designated list, and he’ll return to action after being sidelined on May 9.
After signing a one-year, $3MM deal with Chicago in March, Robertson has looked terrific in the early going, posting a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings for the Wrigleyville nine. The 37-year-old pitched only 18 2/3 MLB innings total in 2019-21 (largely due to Tommy John surgery rehab), but Robertson has thus far showed some flashes of his old dominance as a reliable shutdown arm with the Yankees and White Sox.
Hermosillo had been on the 10-day IL with a left quad strain, with a retroactive May 8 placement. The outfielder has seen some starting duty in center field (spelling Heyward when a lefty is on the mound) and has otherwise been used as a backup at all three outfield positions. While Hermosillo hasn’t hit much over parts of five MLB seasons, he has particularly struggled at the plate thus far in 2022, with only two hits and a .364 OPS to show for 35 plate appearances.
I would much rather hear Hermosillo has been designated for assignment.
That’s for sure!
I can’t believe the Red Sox didn’t offer Robertson a contract. He lives in RI and they needed another bullpen arm. $3m is short money for a hard throwing guy in late innings. He probably would have taken a discount to be close to home.
David Robertson combined with a Cub minor league AAA player such as Nelson Maldonado or Nelson Valezquez could bring a nice return, to the Cubs.
I doubt they trade Velasquez yet. Actually, if Robertson keeps this up, he alone would bring a nice return at the deadline.
This dude has done everything right for an injured pitcher working his way back. He has dominated the minor leagues and delivered in his brief MLB stints since 2020.
Didn’t he negotiate his last contract with Philly? Why wouldn’t they sign him again? Maybe ask him for a discount?
I just can’t believe this dude is still pitching and is on a MLB roster putting up good numbers. As long as it isn’t Houck take who you want in the Boston bullpen (I’m assuming Whitlock stays a starter)….besides Tanner Houck any other arm in that pen is replaceable. Short deals until the youngsters are ready, seems like a Chaim Bloom specialty. This is a trade I wouldn’t mind…..has post-season success too…