Cubs recall Stevens, send Atkins to Iowa

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Jeff Stevens from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-handed pitcher Mitch Atkins to Iowa.

Stevens, 26, begins his third stint with the Cubs this season, having recorded a 5.71 ERA (11 ER/17.1 IP) with no record in 17 relief appearances from May 19-June 26 and June 29-July 5. He recorded a 2.76 ERA (5 ER/16.1 IP) and held opponents to a .226 batting average (14-for-62) in his first 15 big league outings before allowing six earned runs in his final two outings, July 2 and July 4 vs. Cincinnati.

With Triple-A Iowa this season, Stevens has a 3.18 ERA (8 ER/22.2 IP) with a 0-1 record in 16 relief appearances. He has allowed just one home run in 22.2 innings of work, walking 15 while striking out 26. Stevens has held opponents to a .200 batting average (16-for-80), including a .139 mark (5-for-36) against right-handed batters. His most recent appearance came July 17 at Oklahoma City (2.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO).

Atkins, 24, has no record and a 6.43 ERA (5 ER/7.0 IP) in three relief outings for Chicago since he was recalled July 7. With Iowa this season, Atkins is 5-2 with one save and a 3.60 ERA (28 ER/70.0 IP) in 18 games (10 starts).