Chicago Cubs Promote Chris Volstad and Alberto Cabrera

With Paul Maholm now pitching for the Atlanta Braves, Ryan Dempster now pitching for the Texas Rangers, and Matt Garza now starting for the Cubs until the next Tuesday; the Cubs were in need of some pitching. Justin Germano, who the Cubs acquired from the Boston Red Sox two weeks ago, figures to be one of the new additions to the Chicago Cubs starting rotation. Casey Coleman auditioned for a spot in the rotation on Tuesday as he was pitching in place of Dempster, but the first inning grand slam that he allowed was enough to send him back to Iowa.

The Cubs announced on Wednesday that Coleman was sent down to Iowa while pitchers Chris Volstad and Alberto Cabrera were promoted to the Major League level. One would have to wonder how many more opportunities the Cubs will give Coleman. I speculated at the end of the 2011 season that Coleman was pitching himself out of the Cubs’ long-term plans, and Coleman’s efforts this season have solidified my stance.

Vosltad has struggled in his two stints with the Cubs this season, and the third time may be a charm. Volstad is coming off his best performance of the season when he tossed eight shutout innings for the Iowa Cubs on July 27. The current plan is for Volstad to pitch out of the bullpen, though, he will likely be moved into the starting rotation in the near future.

On the other hand, I was hoping that we would see Cabrera at Wrigley Field before the 2012 season concluded. The 24 year old reliever has split the 2012 season with the Tennessee Smokies and the Iowa Cubs. With the Smokies, Cabrera posted an ERA of 2.52 in 23 appearances. While with the Iowa Cubs. Cabrera has posted an ERA of 4.19 in 13 appearances. Cabrera projects as a late-inning reliever for the Cubs, though, he has started games throughout his professional career in the Cubs’ organization. Cabrera has a powerful fastball as it ranks as the best in the Cubs’ farm system in regards to velocity. The hard-throwing Cabrera likely has a future with the Cubs as set-up reliever or even as a successor to Carlos Marmol as the team’s closer.