The Cubs have claimed right-hander Edwin Uceta off waivers from the Mets, reports Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. He’s been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Chicago had a pair of vacancies on its 40-man roster, so a corresponding move wasn’t necessary. Uceta was designated for assignment in New York earlier this week.
The 25-year-old Uceta now joins his fifth organization in the past eight months. He’s bounced from the D-backs, to the Tigers, to the Pirates, to the Mets and now the Cubs since January — all via waiver claim.
Uceta’s overall numbers both in the minors and in the big leagues aren’t particularly impressive, though the frequency with which he’s been claimed on waivers points to the fact that scouts and analysts remain intrigued by his raw potential. He’s tossed three scoreless innings in the big leagues this season but carries an unsightly 5.80 ERA in 40 1/3 total innings between the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Mets.
Things have been better in Triple-A, though his results have hardly been elite there. In 83 1/3 innings, he’s posted a 4.64 ERA and walked 13.4% of his opponents — albeit with a strong 29.6% strikeout rate. Uceta has has long shown an ability to miss bats, and while he doesn’t possess a blistering fastball, he’s averaged between 93-94 mph in the big leagues and shown good ability to spin the ball.
Uceta has missed the bulk of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. However, he recently wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 60-day injured list by the Mets. He should be healthy and ready to go with the Cubs’ top affiliate in Iowa. Uceta is in his final minor league option season, so while he can bounce between Triple-A and the Majors for the remainder of the season, he’ll need to be on the big league roster next year or else passed through waivers before he can be sent down.
WTH
Edwin Etcetera. Top name
Not entirely sure why Jed and Carter are Dumpster diving right now. I think those 40 man spots could be be used in a better fashion with young guys. Apparently Old and Bad is better than Young and Shiny. Brutal.
Cubs will try and slide him through waivers, too. He may or may not get claimed. If he doesn’t, he’s AAA depth. If he does, so he it. Either way, His 40 man spot is not for long.
Even with him, they are at 39 right now—-free spot still and obviously just trying to stockpile anybody for the next week and a half. Really means nothing—if there is something better that crosses the wire it’s a simple swap out.
Would only mean something if guys like Wicks or PCA that are not on the 40 man are needed in September.
Personal editorial note—until Wisdom gets DFAd to open another spot. Should have made at least a pedestrian attempt at Candy’s throw and completely brutalized the one right at him. He CANNOT play the field—ever—you end up giving up two extra runs when you lose by one. Do the math.
The reason Wisdom is still here is a complete mystery to me. It ranks up there with the Loch Ness Monster, Who killed Tupac, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and How Trump finds banks dumb enough to lend him money.
It’s really not JUST a Wisdom thing. I get that the Cubs are going to lose games—it’s just a problem when the Cubs lose games that are preventable, like:
Never let Hosmer hit in a key situation (solved)
Never lose because Mancini can’t play any defensive position (solved)
Never lose a game because Morel can’t play a defensive position (pretty much solved by keeping at ONLY DH)
Never lose a game because Barnhart hit in a key situation (fairly well solved, but still lurking)
Never lose a game because Wisdom can’t play a defensive position (oops–compounded by Reds, Brewers, Marlins all winning–saved ever so slightly by Phillies and Giants losing).
If Hoerner gets thrown out at second on an aggressive play and we lose–I can live with that.
if Dansby makes an error and we lose, I can live with that.
If Belli strikes out as the winning run, I can live with that.
When Adbert blows a game, I will live with that.
It’s very hard to stomach losses when me, as a fan, can almost predict how we are going to lose when I see the defensive lineup two hours before the game time.
Flat out—Morel and Wisdom cannot be in the game at the same because one of that has to play the field.
Morel has more pop, is a higher average hitter, probably a better base runner (today’s big untalked about blunder not withstanding)….
There is really not a roster fit for Wisdom on this team now that they are fairly legit contenders.
It’s perplexing. Happ shouldn’t be batting third either. Figure it out Ross. You want you best damn hitters at the top of the lineup
The Cubs aren’t going to win every game against bad teams and they’re not going to lose every game against teams with better records. We all get that. But every game I watch Perlaza play at Iowa and think of his SH bat being here I start drooling. Every game I see Wisdom here I start gagging. It’s time to get creative Ross. Get rid of Wisdom, Bring up Perlaza. You can’t tell me that Happ or Perlaza at 1B can be any worse than Wisdom. Fact is his defense was starting to wane at 3B also. He was usually at least decent there. For the games where they need another bat against a Lefty Perlaza in LF and Happ at 1st I can live with. Not to mention having another decent SH bat as a PH can’t hurt either. Plus picking up Stewbums like Bleier and Uceta when there are guys who deserve a call up and actually have a future. Or at least let’s find out if they do or not.
—unclemike—i have no problem letting Tauchman bat eighth or ninth against lefties. This teams best lineup (right now) has Tauchman in center, Beillinger at first, and Candelario at third. Nothing else.
You cannot play Happ at first—-they have a real first baseman and that is Bellinger and can play a team without sacrificing ANY defensive positions.
if you put Happ at first–you are really bad there and take a gold glove left fielder (award somewhat debatable, but he is gold glove winner) out of position.
—-and to my list of “can’t lose this way” items—
—-can’t lose a game on a Cuas wild pitch—that is evidently predictable—-it’s Carlos Marmol only with an extra three feet outside on the pitch
This is where Ross’s blind spot for veterans goes off the rails. Just no way Wisdom should be on the field. This choice cost them the game today. I’m starting to think Hoyer has a blind spot for Ross, too.
Agreed on all things Wisdom. He had to come off the bag and at least knock it down.
Now Uceta now you don’t.
Building up on those names for the immaculate grid.
Who is this guy?
U can’t Uceta Me!
Add Luke Little to the 40 man roster and give him a shot. He is Rule 5 eligible and after one bad outing at Iowa he has been pitching well.