Headlines

  • Bryce Harper To Undergo Thumb Surgery
  • Royals Trade Carlos Santana To Mariners, Promote Vinnie Pasquantino
  • Major League Baseball Issues 12 Suspensions For Angels – Mariners Brawl
  • Cardinals Place Jack Flaherty, Harrison Bader On Injured List
  • Blue Jays To Sign Sergio Romo
  • Phillies Claim Oscar Mercado
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cubs Select Matt Swarmer, Place Jonathan Villar On IL

By Darragh McDonald | May 30, 2022 at 9:45am CDT

May 30: The Cubs announced the Swarmer move as part of a broader series of transactions, with various reporters relaying the slate, including Mark Gonzales. To make room on the 40-man roster for Swarmer, Ethan Roberts has been transferred to the 60-day IL. To make room on the active roster, Jonathan Villar was placed on the 10-day IL after suffering a mouth injury while working out. Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune provides further context, saying that Villar had an exercise band snap back into his mouth, suffering an injury that will require significant dental work.

Furthermore, Anderson Espinoza has been recalled as the 27th man for today’s doubleheader. Nelson Velazquez, whose recall was reported yesterday, has also been added.

As for Roberts, he was placed on the IL May 2 with shoulder inflammation and won’t be eligible to return until early July. While there’s no timetable on his return, it seems the club isn’t expecting him back before then, based on today’s transaction.

May 29: The Cubs are going to select the contract of right-handed pitcher Matt Swarmer, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. He will start the first game of tomorrow’s doubleheader against the Brewers, making his major league debut. Swarmer isn’t on the club’s 40-man roster, meaning a corresponding move will be required at some point between now and the start of the game.

It was reported earlier today that the Brewers will be promoting Ethan Small to make his major league debut in the same game, making it a battle of the debutants in tomorrow afternoon’s Memorial Day tilt. For those who like factoids, Jesse Rogers of ESPN relays that this will be the first time the Brewers have been involved in a game with two starters making their debuts, while the Cubs haven’t done it since 1944.

Swamer, 28, was a 19th round selection of the Cubs in the 2016 draft. Since then, he has quietly crept towards the majors without garnering too much attention from prospect evaluators. He’s never appeared on Baseball America’s list of top Chicago farmhands, nor on that of FanGraphs, though he did get a brief honorable mention on the FanGraphs list going into 2019. Just over a year ago, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs did focus his radar on Swarmer, complementing the movement of his slider.

Last year, between Double-A and Triple-A, Swarmer made 20 starts and four relief appearances, logging 112 2/3 innings with a 4.79 ERA, 25.4% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate. He seems to have taken a step forward this year, as he’s made five starts and four relief appearances, throwing 39 innings with a 2.08 ERA. He’s gotten his strikeouts up to 27.3% but is also getting more walks with a 9.1% rate. A .213 BABIP and 82.8% strand rate are surely helping to deflate that ERA somewhat, though there’s lots to like about his results nonetheless.

The Cubs’ rotation currently consists of Marcus Stroman, Drew Smyly, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Keegan Thompson. But thanks to tomorrow’s doubleheader and another this Saturday, they are currently in a stretch of playing 11 games in 9 days. It’s possible that Swarmer will stick around for at least a couple of start to help the club get through that gruelling stretch. They then have a couple of days off in the following week, which should allow them to return to a five-man rotation, though health and performance issues can always change plans quickly.

Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Chicago Cubs Transactions Anderson Espinoza Ethan Roberts Jonathan Villar Matt Swarmer Nelson Velazquez

Brewers To Promote Ethan Small
Main
Tigers Recall Kody Clemens, Place Robbie Grossman On IL
View Comments (42)

Comments

  1. mikevm3

    1 month ago

    Ain’t no way that mattcubs guy came in here to the Miley post and got it right. if you see this, are you Matt Swarmer yourself?

    Reply
    • mattcubs

      1 month ago

      Haha. I’m not him, no. Hes just been pitching incredibly well and Ross suggested that Killian wasn’t going to get a shot yet. Figured he may be next up.

      Reply
      • Richdanna

        1 month ago

        @mattcubs, If you are on FB, join a group called Chicago Cubs Top Prospects.

        Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 month ago

      i was thinking the same thing lol

      Reply
  2. Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

    1 month ago

    It will be interesting to see who they DFA. They could probably DFA Villar or Gsellman without too much issue. I don’t think they will DFA Ortega now given that they really don’t have a backup CF to Morel.

    Reply
    • Robert

      1 month ago

      Gsellman makes the most sense at this point.

      Reply
      • All Yellon

        4 weeks ago

        As always, we await developments.

        Reply
    • TheMichigan

      1 month ago

      Hermosillo? Maybe even Alexander Vizcaino? He’s been pretty horrid in the minors.

      Also what’s up with brailyn Marquez?

      Reply
      • Robert

        1 month ago

        Hermosillo would be another great choice. Great question regarding Marquez, 100 mph lefty just disappeared after reaching the majors in what, 2019? Covid, injuries, and Visa problems have made him a ghost.

        Reply
        • Cmurphy

          1 month ago

          He’s still in extended spring training as of last month.

      • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

        1 month ago

        Hermasillo is on the 10 day IL. Figure eventually they will find a reason to move him to the 60 day.

        Reply
  3. BobGibsonFan

    1 month ago

    Swarmer will be sent down after the game and another arm will be called to take his place. It’s the game within the game.

    Reply
  4. Robert

    1 month ago

    Anyone have a scouting report on Swarmer, can’t find anything on him. Another low 90s sinker guy? (The Theo/Jed/McLeod special)

    Reply
    • Peart of the game

      1 month ago

      He has a history of flyball tendencies throughout the minor leagues. Fangraphs has a scouting report on him but he’s likely to allow a ton of homers.

      Reply
      • Robert

        1 month ago

        Thanks. Not terribly exciting though…

        Reply
        • Peart of the game

          1 month ago

          That said, Alex Faedo is the more well known, younger version. So he could be ok with the slightly deadened ball.

  5. Ogle ogilthorpe

    1 month ago

    He is so..so..so..swarmy.

    Reply
  6. basquiat

    1 month ago

    Well, they should trade for Kyle Schwarber immediately so the play by play guy can go crazy.

    Reply
    • Dogbone

      1 month ago

      ?

      Reply
  7. Ƭ̵̬̊ Player Formly Known As MousecopƬ̵̬̊

    1 month ago

    When I Googled this guy. It said “cubs to promote prospect Matt Swarmer” he’s 28 is he still a prospect at this point? I’m hoping Nelson Velasquez stays up. Maybe they’ll finally cut ties with Heyward. Eat the rest of the contract. I’m sure someone with OF needs would be desperate enough to pick him up on the cheap. Maybe trade bad contract for bad contract.

    Reply
    • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

      1 month ago

      Heyward has 10/5 no trade rights. So when they DFA him, he will probably just become a free agent like Justin Upton.

      Reply
      • Dogbone

        1 month ago

        Selecting who to FDA, with this team – you can hardly make a bad choice.

        Reply
      • Ƭ̵̬̊ Player Formly Known As MousecopƬ̵̬̊

        4 weeks ago

        Yeah I know. He’s gonna be stubborn like Derek Lee. Refused to waive his no trade until the last minute. Soriano did the sane

        Reply
  8. unclemike1525

    1 month ago

    So much for trying to win the game. Killian would of been the call if they were actually trying to compete.

    Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      1 month ago

      They sell 35,000 tickets each game and gallons of beer. You are right . They don’t care still making more money than most division leaders

      Reply
  9. Dunedin020306

    1 month ago

    “It was reported earlier today that the Brewers will be promoting Ethan Small to make his major league debut in the same game, making it a battle of the debutants in tomorrow afternoon’s Memorial Day tilt.”

    When I first read this I thought it said “battle of the debutantes”, not “battle of the debutants”, and I thought “Why are teenage girls going to be fighting at the game? 😮

    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      4 weeks ago

      Haha! I thought the same….Like, wow MLBTR is really hard on these newbies, calling them girls and such …lol.

      Reply
  10. Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

    1 month ago

    I totally forgot about Ethan Roberts. I don’t even remember him pitching.

    Villar’s injury is a new one.

    Reply
  11. ACK

    1 month ago

    It’s a good thing the Cubs traded Yu Darvish for 1 year of Zack Davies and 4 – 16 year old scratch off lottery tickets Look at all this SP depth?? And all these power arms that can throw Regan era mid 80’s heat?? As a life long Cubs fan I love MLB TV. I am enjoying watching Rizzo hitting for the Yankees, Javy playing for the Tigers, and Darvish pitching for the Padres. I am not wasting time watching this dumpster fire again after only tanking less than 10 years ago, AGAIN.

    Reply
    • pinstripes17

      1 month ago

      Javy, Rizzo, and Bryant have been terrible this year. There’s a reason they were all traded. If they are a serious organization they will extend Contreras.

      Reply
      • tstats

        4 weeks ago

        Rizzo has been perfectly fine

        Reply
    • Dogbone

      1 month ago

      @ACK, if you have no clue about the prospects the Cubs received for Rizzo, Javy or Darvish- you can’t be much of even a baseball fan, much less a Cubs fan. You would be correct to say that they probably should be spending more money to stay competitive while they are in the rebuild. But again, by now we all should likely expect Ricketts to be cheap.

      Reply
      • ACK

        1 month ago

        @Dogbone Rizzo slash line is .213/.325/.798. That’s not horrible. That’s borderline all-star.
        Darvish ERA 3.76 52 Inns WHIP 1.082. That’s a TOR starter.
        Javy has been hurt and he is always streaky. Yeah KB I would have passed on re-signing, but Rizzo & Javy I would have resigned.

        Go ahead and watch bad baseball. They traded Darvish final 3 years and $67 million plus took Davies $10 million and thru in about $10 million and signed Stroman and his no heat velocity for 3 years $71 million. It’s not surprising Hendricks has struggled since he hasn’t had a Arrieta from 2015-2017 or Darvish as a high heat SP around him.

        Life is too short to watch bad baseball from a FO & owner not even trying. It’s not all about the money. You can spend less and still compete and put a MLB quality lineup on the field. The Cubs have chosen to do neither,.

        It’s also hard to develop talent when they are surrounded by AAAA talent. Winning baseball is usually a product of playing good baseball. Players learn good fundementals playing winning baseball, not this dumpster fire.

        Reply
        • Dogbone

          1 month ago

          I don’t disagree with all you are saying. But once the Darvish trade was made, their direction was chosen and there was no going back. Ricketts is extremely cheap, he’s spending all his money trying to create Rickettsville. Hoyer I believe is trying to make the most, out of a situation that has dealt him a tough hand to play.
          Once they started moving these guys, I really got over Rizzo being dealt, quite quickly. Javy also. They robbed the Mets.

  12. mrmackey

    1 month ago

    How does an exercise band snap back in to one’s mouth?

    Feels like this is the first time in the world this injury has happened.

    Reply
    • cubfanforever

      4 weeks ago

      Didn’t Sosa miss a game once from sneezing into a back injury? And I think Jose Cardenal missed a game due to eyes being “ stuck open”, and also a game because he couldn’t sleep due to crickets.

      Reply
  13. gbs42

    1 month ago

    Ouch! Tough break for Villar.

    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      4 weeks ago

      Yeah, ouch is right. We got Pham smacking Joc, and Villar smacking himself.

      Seriously, “requiring significant dental work” sounds incredibly painful to have occurred from an exercise band.

      Man, I hope Villar is okay, truly.

      Reply
  14. desertbull

    4 weeks ago

    Jed should have walked out to left field and told Clint Frazier to turn in his uniform and get out of my stadium after that horrendous play.

    Reply
  15. Ƭ̵̬̊ Player Formly Known As MousecopƬ̵̬̊

    4 weeks ago

    Swarmer pitched great only to get a ND

    Reply
    • John Rocker Fan Club

      4 weeks ago

      Crap defense and Norris pitching cost him the win today.

      Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      4 weeks ago

      Yeah, I can see why it’s so tough to hit him too. He is awkward… Really awkward. It will be interesting to see teams that have a chance to hit against him a few times to see if it’s just something new, or if the delivery is really that deceptive.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Bryce Harper To Undergo Thumb Surgery

    Royals Trade Carlos Santana To Mariners, Promote Vinnie Pasquantino

    Major League Baseball Issues 12 Suspensions For Angels – Mariners Brawl

    Cardinals Place Jack Flaherty, Harrison Bader On Injured List

    Blue Jays To Sign Sergio Romo

    Phillies Claim Oscar Mercado

    Bryce Harper Fractures Left Thumb

    Phillies Select Mark Appel

    Daniel Hudson Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury

    Salvador Perez Undergoes Thumb Surgery

    Cubs Designate Jonathan Villar For Assignment

    Yankees, Aaron Judge Avoid Arbitration

    Giants Acquire Willie Calhoun From Rangers For Steven Duggar

    Angels Option Reid Detmers

    Dodgers Acquire Trayce Thompson From Tigers

    Recent

    Phillies To Select Darick Hall

    Yankees Select Ryan Weber

    The Padres, The Luxury Tax And The Trade Deadline

    Follow NBA Free Agency At HoopsRumors

    Austin Meadows Placed On Injured List With Achilles Strains

    Reds Outright Colin Moran

    Diamondbacks Place Zach Davies On 15-Day Injured List

    Freddie Freeman Reportedly Changing Agencies

    Archie Bradley Shut Down For At Least Four Weeks With Elbow Fracture

    Dodgers To Select Jake Lamb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Story Rumors
    • Frankie Montas Rumors
    • Michael Conforto Rumors
    • Arbitration Tracker
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version