Casey Coleman Optioned To Iowa

With Randy Wells returning tomorrow for the Chicago Cubs, the Cubs had to shuffle their rotation. Before the acquisition of Rodrigo Lopez, the plan was for Wells to replace the injured Matt Garza in the rotation, with Doug Davis and Casey Coleman staying in the rotation as the fourth and fifth starters.

However the addition of Lopez has changed the plans for the Cubs rotation. Wells will be replacing Coleman in the rotation. With Lopez joining the rotation to replace Garza. Coleman was the odd man out, as the Cubs optioned the second year pitcher to Iowa after today’s game. After having an impressive spring training, Coleman was given the opportunity to become a mainstay in the rotation after the injuries to Wells and Cashner. Though Coleman has been inconsistent at best, hence the decision to send him back to Iowa and move Lopez into the rotation.

After another short outing by Davis today, Lopez will be given the chance to become the permanent fifth starter on Monday. Garza is scheduled to return next weekend against the Cardinals, giving the Cubs a week to decide between Davis or Lopez for the fifth starter’s spot. Before being traded to the Cubs, Lopez was 6-1 with an ERA of 2.59 as a starting pitcher with the triple A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Though for his career, Lopez has an ERA of 4.82 in 199 career starts.