Cubs grab Texas pitcher Diamond off waivers list

The Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Thomas Diamond off waivers Friday from the Texas Rangers.

Diamond will join the team's Triple-A Iowa roster.

The 26-year-old Diamond, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007, is 2-3 with a 4.20 ERA (26 ER/55.2 IP) and one save in 38 games (one start) with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He went 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA (8 ER/11.0 IP) in six games (one start) in the first Triple-A action of his career this spring.

The 6-3, 230-pounder was sidelined in May for two weeks with right-shoulder tendinitis.

Diamond was selected by the Rangers in the first round (10th overall) of the 2004 June Draft out of the University of New Orleans. Following that season, he was rated as the top prospect in the organization by Baseball America.

Diamond was named the Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2005, after going 13-4 with a 3.53 ERA (59 ER/150.1 IP) and 169 strikeouts in 28 starts between Single-A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco. With Bakersfield, he boasted an 8-0 mark with a shutout, a 1.99 ERA (18 ER/81.1 IP) and 101 strikeouts in 14 starts.

The New Orleans, Louisiana native did not play in the 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March of that year.

Overall in 117 minor league games (77 starts), Diamond is 31-17 with two saves and a 4.01 ERA (194 ER/435.0 IP). Diamond has struck out 487 compared to issuing just 241 walks.

The Cubs' 40-man roster now stands at 39 players.