Cubs Recall Luke Little, Add Gavin Hollowell as 27th Man, Option Javier Assad

See below for details on Monday’s roster moves. I know a lot of folks will probably wonder why Javier Assad was optioned, but it’s mainly a matter of timing. Performance matters too, of course, but Jameson Taillon is coming back and Assad wasn’t going to be available for at least another 4-5 days after starting on Sunday. He could probably use more time at Iowa to get stretched out and sharpen some things up as well.

The Chicago Cubs today added right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell as the 27th man for today’s doubleheader and recalled left-handed pitcher Luke Little. In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned right-handed pitcher Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa.

Hollowell, 27, is 0-0 with a 1.23 ERA (1 ER/7.1 IP) and eight strikeouts in six appearances with the Cubs this season. He has pitched to a 1-3 record with a 6.04 ERA (17 ER/25.1 IP) and 37 strikeouts in 23 games with Iowa. His 13.14 strikeouts per nine innings pitched lead Iowa Cubs pitchers (min. 5 G).

Little, 24, is 2-1 with two saves, a 2.77 ERA (15 ER/48.2 IP) and 57 strikeouts, compared to 27 walks, contributing to a 1.17 WHIP in 35 games (two starts) with the I-Cubs this season. His 56 strikeouts as a reliever are second-most among Iowa bullpen arms. He made one appearance with the Cubs on April 16, allowing one run on four walks and no hits in 0.2 innings of work.

Assad, 28, made his season debut August 12 at Toronto after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list that day. He has made two starts with the Cubs, posting a 0-1 record with a 5.63 ERA (5 ER/8.0 IP).

The Cubs play a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers today at 1:20 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. The games can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score and, in Spanish, on WRTO 1200 AM.