Chicago Cubs acquire left-hander Giovanni Soto from the Cleveland Indians

The Chicago Cubs made a small roster move this morning, adding more pitching depth and transferring outfielder/catcher Kyle Schwarber to the 60-day DL. He’s out for the remainder of the year after tearing his ACL, LCL over the weekend.

The Chicago Cubs today made a minor roster move by acquiring LHP Giovanni Soto from the Indians for cash, according to a tweet from Mark Gonzalez on Twitter. In a corresponding move, the Cubs transferred injured C Kyle Schwarber to the 60-day DL to make room for Soto on the 40-man roster. For the time being, Soto has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Soto (not to be confused with former Cubs catcher and 2008 Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto), 24, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 21st round of the 2009 draft. Soto made his major league debut in Sept of 2015, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings of relief for the Cleveland Indians.

Soto is 25-25 with a 3.10 ERA in his seven-year minor league career. He has appeared in 164 games, 64 of which have been starts.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis

Last year, with the Triple-A Columbus, Soto was 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 46 appearances. He only made one start last season and his biggest issue has been his walks, where he averaged 4.9 per 9 innings last year and has averaged 3.5 BB/9 in his minor league career.

With little sample size in the major leagues, it looks like this is purely a depth move for the Cubs, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cubs give Soto a chance if there is an injury in the bullpen or if someone underperforms, however, he is not likely to be the “next in line” should the Cubs need an arm at the big league level.

Next: Cubs return home to Wrigley Field

It’s no surprise that Schwarber was placed on the 60-day DL, as he will be out for the season and that gives the Cubs an opportunity to open up a roster spot on the 40-man roster.

Expect more roster shuffling with Baez expected to come off the DL soon and the Cubs having to make a decision on whether or not to carry an extra pitcher.