Cubs finalize Kevin Gausman trade with roster move that signals end of bullpen revolving door

Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start for the Chicago Cubs on Friday against the Kansas City Royals, and he has been added to the roster ahead of the team's finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

Between Gausman's arrival, and Clay Holme's, who also is expected to start this weekend, there was inevitably going to be roster gymnastics required. The moves started on Tuesday night as the Cubs designated Jake Woodford for assignment to make room for Ryan Zeferjahn, and continued on Wednesday. Gausman is taking the place of Antoine Kelly, who was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Kelly was one of few pitchers on the Cubs' staff with minor-league options remaining, making him a clear candidate to be option between the arrivals of the pitchers acquired at the deadline, and the reality that Daniel Palencia, Edward Cabrera, and Hoby Milner could all return by the end of August.

The hope is that the Cubs, moving forward, can end the revolving door that has been their pitching staff for most of the season. Even in September, if you squint, there's the possibility of the team having Ben Brown, Justin Steele, and Shelby Miller as additional options in the bullpen.

Cubs continue post-trade deadline roster shuffling with Kevin Gausman's arrival

Kelly worked a perfect inning and a third against the New York Yankees last Friday, flashing the reason why the Cubs took a flier on him earlier this season. His fastball sits in the upper-90s, and most importantly, he didn't issue any walks. As Kelly has bounced around in recent years with the Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, and Dodgers, his lack of command is the biggest reason why his major-league debut had been delayed until this past weekend.

Moving forward, chances are Kelly will be viewed as an up-and-down arm for the Cubs the rest of this season. Barring another injury, though, chances are the 26-year-old won't have an extended stay in the bullpen. If anything, he could be an additional arm the Cubs carry when rosters expand in September.

More moves are on the way, considering Holmes will need to be added to the 40-man roster once he is reinstated from the 60-day IL this weekend. Optioning Javier Assad could be the move for the Cubs, considering Assad will effectively be pushed out of the rotation after his start against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

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