Cubs Call Up Prospects
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today recalled left-handed pitcher James Russell and right-handed pitcher Jeff Stevens from Triple-A Iowa.
In corresponding roster moves, the Cubs placed right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the restricted list and left-handed pitcher John Grabow on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain.
Russell and Stevens will be available for tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.
A member of Chicago's Opening Day roster, Russell went 0-1 with a 4.71 ERA (11 ER/21.0 IP) in 20 relief appearances with the Cubs before being optioned to Triple-A on June 12. With Iowa, Russell posted no record and a 5.73 ERA (7 ER/11.0 IP) in five relief outings.
Russell, 24, made his major league debut with the Cubs on Opening Day in Atlanta with 2.0 scoreless innings and turned in a 2.33 ERA (5 ER/19.1 IP) through his first 17 outings before allowing six runs on nine hits in 1.2 innings in his last three big league appearances.[photogallerylink id=3949 align=left]
Stevens returns to the Cubs just three days after being optioned to Triple-A last Saturday. He has no record and a 2.81 ERA (5 ER/16.0 IP) in 14 major league relief appearances this season. Stevens is limiting opponents to a .230 batting average (14-for-61) and he has yet to allow an earned run against National League competition this season (9.0 innings covering nine appearances).
The 26-year-old Stevens has no record and a 2.60 ERA (5 ER/17.1 IP) in 12 relief outings with Iowa this year. He did not appear in a game during this most-recent Triple-A stint.
Zambrano is 3-6 with a 5.66 ERA (35 ER/55.2 IP) in 22 appearances (nine starts) with the Cubs this season.
Grabow returns to the disabled list for the second time this year. He was previously sidelined from May 31-June 15, also with a left knee sprain. Grabow is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA (21 ER/25.2 IP) in 28 relief appearances with the Cubs this season.
Courtesy of the Chicago Cubs
