Iowa Shakes up Roster
Published on June 9, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
DES MOINES - The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, made a flurry of roster moves, which included sending outfielder Albert Almora Jr. to the major leagues for the first time and a trade of Arismendy Alcantara. Iowa added five more to the roster, four new faces and one returner.
Tuesday, the Cubs selected the contract of outfielder Almora Jr. from the I-Cubs and in a counter move, Iowa added outfielder Mark Zagunis from Double-A Tennessee. Iowa also added infielder Jeimer Candelario and pitchers Corey Black and Miguel Mejia - all from Tennessee. Relievers Jean Machi and Brandon Gomes were released and infielder David Bote was sent to Advanced-A Myrtle Beach. Starter Aaron Brooks was also added to Iowa's roster on a major league rehabilitation assignment.
Almora Jr., who took the active roster spot of Jorge Soler, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Almora Jr. made his major league debut on Tuesday as a pinch-hitter and made his first major league start in left field yesterday, going 1-for-4 and throwing out a runner at home. Zagunis began the season with Tennessee and through 51 games, hit .302 and leads the Smokies in RBI with 24. He is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut tonight against Round Rock.
Almora Jr., who turned 22 in April, was hitting .318 with Iowa and had hit safely in six of his last seven games. He was pacing the I-Cubs with 68 hits, good enough for a tie for fifth-most in the league at the time of his promotion and also ranked in the top-three on the Iowa roster in doubles (12), RBI (30), total bases (95) and stolen bags (10).
The Cubs also announced today that Alcantara was traded to the A's for outfielder Chris Coghlan. Alcantara broke the Iowa franchise record for triples this season and was leading the Pacific Coast League with 21 stolen bases. He hit .264 for the I-Cubs with nine doubles, three triples, five homers and 21 RBI.
Brooks makes his way to Iowa after spending the first of the season on the disabled list. Brooks suited up for Nashville, Oakland, Omaha and Kansas City last season after a mid-season trade. He went 3-4 with a 6.67 ERA in 13 big league games and was 7-5 with a 3.72 ERA in 20 Triple-A appearances.
Utility player Bote was assigned to Myrtle Beach after a 12-game stint with Iowa, with Candelario taking his place on the I-Cubs' roster. Bote hit .364 with the I-Cubs with a home run and three RBI.
Candelario split time between Myrtle Beach and Tennessee during the 2015 season before earning an Opening Day roster spot with Tennessee in 2016. Through 52 games, Candelario hit .219 and paces the Smokies in doubles (17) and walks (32). He was tagged as the Cubs' No. 20 prospect by MLB.com entering the season. Along with Zagunis, Candelario will make his Triple-A debut tonight.
RHP Miguel Mejia and RHP Corey Black get the call up from Tennessee. This marks Mejia's second stint with Iowa this season, while Black is looking to make his Triple-A debut.
Black was in his third full season with the Smokies and holds a 9-15 record through 83 career games with Tennessee. During the 2016 season, Black made the transition from the starting rotation to the bullpen, appearing in 20 games thus far with a 0-3 record. He paces the team with eight saves and holds a 3.18 ERA (8ER/22.2IP).
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