Chicago Cubs: Coghlan, Smith, Buchanan added as rosters expand

As the calendar turns to September 1st, that means the active roster can expand up to 40 men. The majority of the players that the Chicago Cubs will add will be guys coming off the DL, and sure enough, two players came off the DL today.

Today, the Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Chris Coghlan and right-hander Joe Smith from the 15-day DL. The Cubs also selected the contract of right-hander Jake Buchanan. All three players will be available for tonight’s game. All reported by CBS Sports.

Coghlan has had an up and down year this season with the Cubs and Athletics. Brought back in June after being traded in the offseason, Coghlan had two great years in Chicago but struggled mightily with Oakland. He compiled a .146/.215/.272 slash line hitting five home runs and driving in 14.

As a Cub this season, Coghlan is slashing .222/.377/.333 without a home run and 5 RBIs. As you can see, his numbers aren’t as good as last year (.250/.341/.443) but has improved since rejoining the Cubs and has torn up Triple-A Iowa.

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Coghlan will be in tonight’s starting lineup in left field, and will give the Cubs another lefty off the bench.

RHP Joe Smith also rejoins the club from the DL. Since joining the Cubs via a trade at the deadline, Smith has struggled. Despite only pitching 3 2/3 innings of work, he has compiled a 7.36 ERA and has walked four while striking out one. Smith looks to rebound and find some success in a bullpen that is up for grabs.

Jake Buchanan is a lot less familiar. Buchanan, 26,  came to the Cubs on a minor-league deal in the off-season. He has made 22 starts for Iowa this season compiling a 4.34 ERA in 141 innings pitched.

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He has a 3.80 FIP and doesn’t walk many (6.3%) and doesn’t strike out many either (17.3%). The Cubs will utilize Jake Buchanan out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season.

That’s it for now, but there will be many more call-ups soon as Spencer Patton, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, John Lackey, Albert Almora and others will join the team at some point this month.