Cubs' Iowa shuffle pays off for Zagunis, Hancock
The Chicago-to-Des Moines shuttle continued its run Wednesday.
The Cubs optioned pitchers Jen-Ho Tseng and Rob Zastryzny to Class AAA Iowa. They recalled outfielder Mark Zagunis from Iowa and selected the contract of right-handed reliever Justin Hancock from Iowa.
Tseng made an emergency start Tuesday night in place of the ill Yu Darvish. Zastryzny followed Tseng into the game.
The Cubs' 13-4 victory Wednesday over the Miami Marlins turned out to be a big day for both Zagunis and Hancock. Zagunis picked up his first major-league hit with a seventh-inning single. Hancock got into his first big-league game.
Zagunis, 25, played in seven games for the Cubs last year. At Iowa, he had a line of .298/.412/.436 with 3 homers and 13 RBI.
"I'm definitely not as nervous as I was last year or anything like that," he said. "It definitely helps."
Hancock, 27, made a big-league roster for the first time in his career. He was drafted by the Padres in 2011 and traded to the Cubs last May for outfielder Matt Szczur.
He saw his first major-league action in the seventh inning, getting two quick outs before giving up a walk to JB Shuck and a homer to Miguel Rojas. He batted in the bottom of the inning and was struck out on a pitch that looked to be out of the strike zone with the bases loaded, robbing him of an RBI.
Members of Hancock's family were at Wrigley Field Wednesday. Hancock went to spring training with the Cubs as a nonroster player and was 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA at Iowa.
"It's been a long road to get to this point," he said. "I think all the hard work's actually starting to pay off, and I'm excited to be here.
"They told me coming into spring training they were going to give me a shot. I think I exceeded those expectations in spring training and showed that I can pitch up here. I'm glad they've given me this opportunity to do that."
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he was impressed by both players.
"Hancock really impressed me in spring training," he said. "He's been pitching well from what I understand. He's got a fabulous arm. He's got a Grade A arm. If he figures it out on this level, this guy could be outstanding. I'm really eager to watch him play.
"Zagunis also has been tearing it up."
Impressive company:
Kris Bryant's first-inning homer was the 100th of his career. He became the 22nd player in franchise history to reach 100. He is the third Cubs third baseman to reach 100, joining Ron Santo (337) and Aramis Ramirez (239).
Bryant is the 10th Cubs player to hit his first 100 homers all with the Cubs, joining Gabby Hartnett, Bill Nicholson, Andy Pafko, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Santo, Jody Davis, Ryne Sandberg and Mark Grace.