Chicago Cubs activate Jose Veras, send Zac Rosscup to DL

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

The game with the St. Louis Cardinals was rained out, but the Chicago Cubs were still busy at work. If there are any Cubs fans excited about the work is to be determined as Jose Veras was activated Wednesday night. They then sent Zac Rosscup to the DL retroactive to May 10.

Rosscup, while appearances had been limited, had been effective this season. In four appearances he has allowed only one hit and no runs, while striking out five. Although he hadn’t pitched since May 10, he had been feeling soreness when warming up according to Jed Hoyer.

"“He’s going to see [team doctor Stephen] Gryzlo, and we’ll get to the bottom of that,” Hoyer said. h/t Jesse Rogers, ESPNChicago.com"

The activation of Veras is likely to turn the stomach of many Cubs fans. Before heading to the DL with an oblique strain, his numbers were downright horrendous. 5 2/3 innings, 6 hits, 10 runs, 2 home runs allowed, 10 walks, five Ks, and a 15.88 ERA. The Cubs will keep eight, but now have only two left-handers in the bullpen.

I’m aware the bullpen has struggled. There’s been inconsistency throughout, and there isn’t one arm in the bullpen that can say “it’s not my fault”. But unless something miraculous changed in his short rehab stint in Double-A Tennessee, nothing about this is going to make things better. Manager Rick Renteria will have to work Veras into early inning, low-pressure situations. Which have been few as the starting pitching has held up their end. At this point he really cant be trusted in tight games, leading OR trailing.

Unfortunately this is likely to end up a roster move that has to be chalked up as a mistake. Too much money, too high of expectations for a pitcher that hadn’t given the impression he was ready for it. But in a season that isn’t trending upward, the best the Cubs can do is hope Veras can right the ship, and possibly gain some value as trade, as I don’t believe he’s part of the long-term, more or less the near future of the Cubs.

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