Tag: Chicago Cubs

BLUE JAYS ACQUIRE RIVERA & PINANGO FOR PEARSON

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired SS Josh Rivera & OF Yohendrick Pinango from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Nate Pearson.

Additionally, RHP Ryan Burr has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will be active for today’s game, and RHP Jordan Romano has been transferred to the 60-day injured list (right elbow inflammation).

Rivera, 23, has appeared in 68 games for the Cubs Double-A affiliate in Tennessee this season, batting .169 with four doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 16 RBI, posting a .971 fielding percentage in 596.2 innings at shortstop. The Sebring, FL, native was selected by the Cubs in the 3rd round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, out of the University of Florida. The 6-2, 215 lb. right-handed hitter has played a total of 96 career Minor League games, across three levels, batting .199 with 22 extra-base hits and 32 RBI.

Pinango, 22, has split the 2024 campaign between High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee, combining to hit .263 with 18 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 40 RBI, 45 walks, and a .797 OPS. The 5-11, 170 lb. left-handed hitter was signed by the Cubs as an international free agent in 2018. A native of Carora, Venezuela, the outfielder has played a total of 473 career Minor League contests, batting .272 with 100 doubles, 10 triples, 33 home runs, 220 RBI, and a .730 OPS.

Pearson, 27, has made 41 appearances for the Blue Jays this season, posting a 5.63 ERA with 51 strikeouts and a 1.55 WHIP. The 6-6, 255 lb. right-handed reliever was selected by the Blue Jays in the 1st round (28th overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, making his big league debut for the club in 2020. The Odessa, FL, native and former top prospect has made 93 career MLB appearances (5 starts), going 7-4 with a 5.21 ERA across 115.2 combined innings, recording a 10.12 strikeout per nine rate.

– BLUE JAYS –

Jake Arrieta catches on with Padres after release by Cubs — MLB | NBC Sports

Jake Arrieta caught on with a playoff contender after getting released by the Chicago Cubs, signing a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Jake Arrieta catches on with Padres after release by Cubs — MLB | NBC Sports

Cubs’ pitching coach Tommy Hottovy talks about his COVID-19 battle — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

He’s only 38 and took every precaution but still got seriously sick.

Cubs’ pitching coach Tommy Hottovy talks about his COVID-19 battle — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

Chicago Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy was on the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score in Chicago this morning and talked about his recent battle with COVID-19.

Hottovy, who is only 38 years-old and who had no underlying health conditions, says that he and his family took every precaution they could think of. They socially distanced. They cleaned and disinfected. They wore masks. You name it. But he still got seriously, seriously sick and took a very long time to recover.

From the interview:

Hottovy called the first five to six days of his battle with the coronavirus typical with fevers and the usual symptoms. Then it got much worse.

“The problem with is on day eight through 14, it crushed me,” Hottovy said. “It got into my lungs. I got the full what they call the COVID pneumonia, a viral pneumonia, shortness of breath, really trouble breathing, constant fevers.”

Hottovy had a fever of more than 100 degrees for six straight days. He had breathing treatment upon checking into the hospital, he said. Hottovy was treated and released from the hospital on the same day, he added.

It took Hottovy 30 days before he tested negative for the coronavirus, he said. He went through what he called a stretch of depression.

There are many who have downplayed the threat of COVID-19 with respect to younger people like Hottovy or who have cited evidence of slowed death rates from the virus. As Hottovy’s example illustrates, however, even if you’re young and healthy, you can get it, it can be serious, and it can have long-term effects even after the worst of it is over.

Jon Lester Sure Sounds Open To Red Sox Return If Opportunity Arises — NESN.com

It feels like yesterday Jon Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with the Cubs, squashing any chance of the pitcher returning to the Red Sox in free agency months after Boston dealt him to the Oakland Athletics at the 2014 Major League Baseball trade deadline. In reality, however, it’s been more than half a…

Jon Lester Sure Sounds Open To Red Sox Return If Opportunity Arises — NESN.com

Theo Epstein on the Cubs-Cardinals London Series: “As of now it’s on” — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

There are rumors it the London Series between the Cubs and Cardinals could be postponed due to coronavirus concerns

Theo Epstein on the Cubs-Cardinals London Series: “As of now it’s on” — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

Anthony Rizzo says teams are treating luxury tax as a salary cap — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo spoke up about baseball’s luxury tax, saying that teams treat it like a salary cap when they shouldn’t.

Anthony Rizzo says teams are treating luxury tax as a salary cap — HardballTalk | NBC Sports