Well, this seems odd. We’ll know what happened a little later, but it seems as though left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Kay is back with the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old pitcher was called up earlier in the season by the Cubs, making 13 relief appearances until he was sent back down to Triple-A in early August.
Kay was spotted entering Wrigley Field on Tuesday.
The Cubs acquired Kay in the offseason, picking him up off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
The lefty was doing fine, not really used in many high-leverage spots and posted a 1.93 ERA through his first 11 outings with the Cubs. However, his last two appearances weren’t good, giving up six earned runs combined in two innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, although it didn’t mean too much as the Cubs won both of those games by a healthy margin.
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
We’ll find out if Kay’s return means someone is injured on the Cubs pitching staff or if there is something else going on. The Cubs have two more games against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field this week before they play four games against the Reds this weekend. That four-game series includes a double header on Friday in Cincinnati.
Since Kay was returned to Triple-A earlier this month, the left-handed pitcher has appeared in five games with the Iowa Cubs. He’s recorded a 3.86 ERA, allowing three earned runs in seven innings. He’s struck out 12, while walking six. All three earned runs he’s given up came in one game, which happens to be his last appearance on Aug. 23.
Overall with the Cubs in the big leagues this season, Kay has tossed 11.1 innings, allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits and 8 walks. At the very least, he has kept left-handed hitters in check, holding them to a .154 batting average, (2-for-13) only surrendering one run to lefties.
UPDATE
Anthony Kay is taking the spot of right-handed reliever Jose Cuas, who has been placed on the bereavement list.
Cuas, 29, was acquired at the trade deadline from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed hitting outfielder Nelson Velázquez. Cuas pitched two scoreless innings in relief Monday night against the Brewers. The right-hander has struggled with walks at times, but his unique delivery has held opponents off the scoreboard since joining the Cubs.
Cuas has only given up one earned run in 12 innings of work with the Cubs, striking out 7 and walking 11 in 11 outings.
A player placed on the bereavement list must miss a minimum of three games and a maximum of seven games, according to MLB’s policy.
Following the first game of Friday’s double header, Cuas returned to the active roster and started against the Cincinnati Reds, acting as the opener in game two of the double header.
Kay was optioned back down to Triple-A.
Cuas faced three batters in the first inning, gave up a single, recorded two outs and then he was taken out for lefty pitcher Drew Smyly.
Kay did not appear in any games this time around with the Cubs.
