Chicago Cubs RHP Dallas Beeler to make MLB debut

Right-hander Dallas Beeler, who has pitched this season at Triple-A Iowa, will make his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs Saturday when he starts the first game of a doubleheader against the Nationals.

It is a rare day-night double header for the Cubs with an off day on Sunday due to the Pride Parade.

Beeler, 25, is 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 starts at Iowa this year, striking out 433 while walking 15 over 60 1/3 innings. He was the Cubs’ 41st-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. In his latest outing Monday against the Albuquerque Isotopes, he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings.

Beeler made just nine starts in 2013 due to a finger injury, but the Cubs selected him to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.

The Cubs and Nationals are allowed to extend their roster to 26 for day-night doubleheaders without having to make a corresponding roster move. The Cubs opted for Beeler over Carlos Villanueva, who has not started since moving to the bullpen.

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