Chicago Cubs: Jen-Ho Tseng to make his MLB debut on Thursday
Win Chicago Cubs MiLB Pitcher of the Year Award for the second time? Check. Come up and start against the New York Mets the day before you receive it? Why not.
The Chicago Cubs’ Jen-Ho Tseng was at Wrigley Field after winning the Cubs’ MiLB Pitcher of the Year Award in 2014. He’ll do the same once again tomorrow as he and Victor Caratini will be honored. But first, he’s got a ballgame to be at. Tseng will make his MLB debut against the New York Mets in the series finale as the Cubs hope to complete the three-game sweep.
The 22-year old right hander from Taiwan showed what he was capable of in the minors. Now he’ll get the chance to bring it to the big stage as he will start against the Mets in the middle of a playoff push. No pressure, right? Not for Tseng, who as an 18-year-old was the only high schooler on Taiwan’s team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
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A short stay?
Skipper Joe Maddon has told Tseng that this could be a short visit. Depending on how quickly Jake Arrieta can work his way back from his hamstring injury. The Cubs will have a better idea of Arrieta’s status after his next throwing session.
“It could be one and done,” Maddon said of Tseng’s start. “We’ll see how it plays out. Sometimes you catch lightning in a bottle.”
He won his first Cubs’ MiLB Pitcher of the Year Award in 2014 and added his second one this year. He’s a five pitch pitcher that has been compared by Maddon to Kyle Hendricks. He was signed as an international free agent in 2013.
Next: Cubs win in blowout against the Mets
That would be the type of lightning in a bottle the Cubs would love to catch. To make room for the roster move, the Cubs designated Pierce Johnson for assignment. Tseng will wear No. 39. One thing is for certain. Tseng is likely happy to be joining the Cubs in this series as opposed to the Brewers series last weekend.