Cubs Select LHP Ty Blach, Option Javier Assad, Transfer Hunter Harvey to 60-Day IL

Jed Hoyer took a big swing by signing hard-throwing reliever Hunter Harvey, but that deal is looking like a whiff so far. Harvey pitched only four innings in as many appearances before hitting the IL with right triceps inflammation that then developed into a stress reaction that shut down his rehab. While this move is more procedural in nature than a sign that he’s going to miss the rest of the season, the oft-injured Harvey can’t be counted on for much the rest of the way.

Placing him on the 60-day IL opened a roster spot for lefty Ty Blach, who joined the organization in April on a minor league deal. There’s not much to suggest he’ll be an impact pitcher, but the Cubs really just need guys whose arms aren’t falling off. Javier Assad was one such pitcher, but he’s been working out of the bullpen and might need time to get stretched back out.

See the press release below for more.

The Chicago Cubs today selected left-handed pitcher Ty Blach from Triple-A Iowa. In corresponding moves, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa and transferred right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey to the 60-day injured list. The 40-man roster currently stands at 40.

Blach will wear #58 and is available for today’s game at Rate Field.

Blach, 35, signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in April and is 2-3 with a 5.23 ERA (12 ER/20.2 IP) in five games (three starts) with the I-Cubs. The lefthander has made 156 career major league appearances (70 starts) with the Giants (2016-19), Orioles (2019) and Rockies (2022-24), going 23-33 with a 5.42 ERA (313 ER/520.0 IP).

Assad, 28, is 3-1 with a 5.88 ERA (17 ER/26.0 IP) in eight games (three starts) with the Cubs this season.

The Cubs play the Chicago White Sox today at 1:10 p.m. at Rate Field in a game that can be seen on Marquee and heard on 104.3 the Score.