The Cubs are selecting righty Robert Gsellman onto the big league roster, as Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune was among those to relay (on Twitter). Drew Smyly, who had been scheduled to start this evening’s game against the White Sox, has been placed on the bereavement list to open active roster space. Southpaw Locke St. John has been designated for assignment in a corresponding 40-man roster move.
Gsellman inked a minor league deal with Chicago during Spring Training. He’d been non-tendered by the Mets, with whom he had spent his entire career. The Southern California native broke into the majors late in the 2016 season and flashed some potential as a starter during his rookie campaign. He struggled over 119 2/3 innings the following year, though, and he spent the next few seasons working out of the bullpen.
In the four years since moving to relief, Gsellman has tossed 186 1/3 innings of 4.73 ERA ball. His 19.2% strikeout rate was below-average, but he had a solid 8.1% walk percentage and induced ground-balls at an above-average 47% clip. Gsellman missed a good portion of last season because of a lat injury, and his strikeout rate dipped to 14.3% in 28 2/3 frames.
Assigned to Triple-A Iowa to start this season, Gsellman has started four of his five appearances. He’s tossed 15 1/3 innings with a tiny 1.17 ERA, albeit again with subpar swing-and-miss numbers. The Cubs will hope that Gsellman’s ground-ball approach can carry over against big league hitters. He’ll give them a multi-inning arm for an impromptu bullpen game tonight in Smyly’s absence, which will be opened by Scott Effross.
Chicago selected St. John onto the 40-man roster last month. He made one appearance, tossing two innings of three-run ball against Milwaukee on Saturday before being optioned out. The 29-year-old has tossed seven innings with Iowa, allowing four runs. He has fanned eight but also issued six walks and hit a trio of batters. The Cubs will have a week to trade him or place him on waivers.
In other news, starting pitcher Wade Miley is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday, tweets Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Claimed off waivers from the Reds over the offseason, the veteran southpaw has yet to make his team debut on account of inflammation in his throwing elbow.
Young prospect, oh it’s the Cubs of course not
Translate to: I have no idea how he’s performed in Iowa yet I’ll make an asinine statement.
The Cubs specialize in spare part major leaguers being they’re entire roster at this point, no valid clue what you intended on saying
Hes up there for one of the worst relievers the Mets have had. I don’t think Iv’e ever seen him have a clean inning where he didnt even walk, hbp, or give up a hit
Why not call up Caleb Kilan? He would’ve been a better option
Why use an option on a promising young pitcher when the team is going no where?
Because he’ll just say with the team. He’s shown he’s ready. Also it’s only 1 option which then he can go up and down as many times as the cubs want.
I always felt like, with the Mets, he was a better pitcher than the results showed. Like his stuff always seemed to be pretty good, but the results weren’t there beyond that first year, really.
CLE’s Paul Shuey was the same way. Everyone who saw him pitch were impressed with his stuff, but the results never reflected what you’d expect. Some pitchers are like that. Then you get a guy who basically only has 2 pitches, and he’s a world beater. It’s all about results.
He lost his curveball and his FB velocity is mediocre which is why he’s meh now
Is the G in his name silent?
No. It’s really really loud
No, it’s literally pronounced Guh-sellman. Coming up through the minors I assumed it was silent. LOL.