The Cubs have chosen the contract of not too long ago acquired righty Jesus Tinoco, tweets Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. He’ll be a part of their huge league bullpen to begin the season’s second half. Lefty Jordan Wicks, already out greater than a month with an indirect pressure, is being transferred from the 15-day injured listing to the 60-day injures listing to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Wicks will now be out till mid-August on the earliest.
Chicago acquired Tinoco from the Royals in alternate for money earlier within the week. Presumably, given how shortly he’s been added to the massive league roster, the right-hander had some type of opt-out or upward mobility clause in his contract that led to the swap.
Tinoco, 29, pitched 10 innings for the Rangers earlier this season and allowed 9 runs earlier than being designated for project. He rejected an outright project to Triple-A in favor of free company, signed with the Royals just a few days later, and now will discover himself again within the majors with the Cubs lower than a month after he turned a free agent.
This yr’s run with the Rangers clearly didn’t go how he’d hoped, however Tinoco tossed 20 2/3 innings of two.18 ERA ball for Texas again in 2022 and has pitched to a 4.58 earned run common in 76 2/3 innings throughout elements of 5 seasons. He averages higher than 96 mph on his fastball however doesn’t miss bats at a very excessive stage; he’s fanned 18.1% of his huge league opponents towards an untenable 13.9% stroll charge. He’s had a stable exhibiting in 28 Triple-A innings this season, nonetheless, posting a 3.86 ERA with an enormous 31.9% strikeout charge towards a extra manageable (however nonetheless greater than common) 9.5% stroll charge.
The Cubs’ bullpen has been problematic for a lot of the 2024 season. They’re a middle-of-the-pack group by way of ERA however have usually faltered in high-leverage conditions, due in no small half to possessing the third-highest stroll charge within the majors, at 10.8%. Tinoco will give them a contemporary arm, although his personal historical past of command troubles doesn’t encourage a lot confidence that he’ll assist the group lower down on its stroll points. If the Cubs plan so as to add to the roster between now and the July 30 commerce deadline — they’re at present 3.5 video games out of a Wild Card spot within the NL — bullpen assistance will seemingly be a spotlight.
