|
CHICAGO -- Sometimes good timing is all it takes to make it to the major leagues, as Chicago Cubs Triple-A right-handed pitcher Dallas Beeler is finding out this week. Beeler will make his major league debut Saturday afternoon as the Cubs play a rare day-night doubleheader Saturday with a day off on Sunday due to the Pride Parade.  “It just fell in [his] slot and obviously he’s been performing,” Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Wednesday after making the announcement.
Beeler, 25, was a 41st-round pick of the Cubs in 2010. He’s not as highly touted as Iowa teammate Kyle Hendricks nor as accomplished this season as lefty Tsuyoshi Wada. So why is he getting recalled to pitch the afternoon affair against the Washington Nationals before Jeff Samardzija pitches the nightcap? It’s his turn to pitch. Beeler last pitched on Monday, so Saturday would be his next turn in the rotation. Instead of pitching for Iowa, he’ll do it at Wrigley Field. Per Major League Baseball rules, the Cubs and Nationals are allowed to add a player for the doubleheader. The Cubs chose to start Beeler over Carlos Villanueva, who hasn’t been stretched out since going to the bullpen. Beeler is 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 Triple-A starts. He’s given up 56 hits in 60 1/3 innings while walking just 15. The Cubs thought enough of him this past offseason to pitch him in the Arizona Fall League after injuries held him to nine starts in 2013. “Everyone is looking forward to having an opportunity to come out here and show what he can do,” Renteria said. “We’re glad to have him.” So the Cubs will finally showcase one of their prospects, just not one ranked in their top 20, according to MLB.com.
|
