Chicago Cubs' pitching continues to evolve
The Cubs' continuing quest to shore up their pitching marched on Monday night.
Expect that quest to keep on marching, right up to and perhaps after the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.
The Cubs got a respectable effort from fifth starter Clayton Richard in their 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park.
And they unveiled their newest relief pitcher: 35-year-old Rafael Soriano. The former closer, most recently of Washington, pitched a so-so bottom of the eighth inning, giving up a leadoff walk to Joey Votto and a one-out double to Jay Bruce before getting out of trouble.
But it was a bullpen mainstay who blew a save and gave up the eventual game-winning run to the Reds. Justin Grimm relieved Richard in the bottom of the sixth. He walked Todd Frazier before allowing up a booming 2-run homer to Bruce, giving the Reds their 5-4 lead.
The Cubs have added and subtracted to the pitching staff all year. Richard, who gave up 4 hits and 3 runs in 5⅔ innings, was obtained earlier this month from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The Cubs got him to fill the No. 5 spot after Tsuyoshi Wada got hurt.
Richard could remain in that role, or the Cubs might be willing to part with some prospects to land a starting pitcher to plug into the middle of the rotation.
They signed Soriano to a minor-league contract last month. Manager Joe Maddon has tinkered with the back end of the bullpen all season, eventually moving Hector Rondon out of the closer's role and Jason Motte into it.
Soriano recorded 117 saves over the past three seasons. Right now, he's not the closer, but that could change.
"He's ready to roll," Maddon told reporters in Cincinnati. "He feels really good. He looks like he's in really good shape. That was my first impression. I talked to him about the latter part of the game. Be ready for anything in the latter part of the game."
Soriano told the media being the Cubs' closer wasn't on mind.
"Right now, I don't think about that," he said. "I think about helping the young guys and helping these guys win."
To make room for Soriano, the Cubs designated reliever Edwin Jackson for assignment. Signed to a four-year, $52 million contract before the 2013 season, Jackson was extremely ineffective and was banished to the bullpen late last season.
Despite it all, he remained a positive influence in the clubhouse and was well-liked and well-respected by his teammates for his attitude and work ethic.
Speaking of pitching, the Cubs and Reds finalized their plans for Wednesday's day-night doubleheader. Kyle Hendricks will go for the Cubs in the day game against Mike Leake. For the second game, the Cubs will call up Dallas Beeler from Class AAA Iowa. He will face Tony Cingrani, who will come off the disabled list to pitch.