The Chicago Cubs made a few roster moves on Monday, as they claimed another pitcher off waivers. Last week it was 23-year-old lefty Randy Rosario from the Minnesota Twins. This time it’s former second-round draft pick Cory Mazzoni from the San Diego Padres.
Mazzoni, 28, was originally drafted by the New York Mets in 2011.
The #Cubs today claimed RHP Cory Mazzoni off waivers from the #Padres. pic.twitter.com/4n3L0vk6mo
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 6, 2017
The right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2015, but hasn’t had much major league experience. Mazzoni has a total of 16.2 innings pitched in the Majors, last appearing as a September call up in 2017, pitching eight innings with San Diego.
He had shoulder surgery prior to the 2016 season, so as you might guess the Cubs are simply taking a chance here to see if Mazzoni can get back to the level that made him a high draft pick. After returning back from the surgery, Mazzoni pitched extremely well at Triple-A in 2017, although it was a small sample size. The righty had a 0.89 ERA in 20.1 innings, with 31 strikeouts and three walks. Overall in 2017 in the minors, Mazzoni had a 0.59 ERA in 30.1 innings. The 28-year-old has pitched a total of 366 innings in the minors, with a 3.79 ERA.
The Cubs also assigned outfielder Leonys Martin to Triple-A.
Additionally, the #Cubs have selected the contract of RHP Matt Carasiti from @IowaCubs and assigned OF Leonys Martín to Triple-A.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 6, 2017
So, Martin is now off the Cubs 40-man roster.
Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Matt Carasiti, 26, pitched well for the Cubs after they acquired him from the Colorado Rockies. In 2017, Carasiti had a 3.26 ERA in 49.2 innings.
On Monday, the Cubs also extended qualifying offers to Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis. You can read all about that below.
