The Chicago Cubs’ roster makeover is once more underway.
They made their first trade-deadline transfer Saturday, starting their sell-off by sending right-handed reliever Chris Martin to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In return, they acquired 27-year-old infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry.
Manager David Ross expects the lefty-hitting McKinstry to hitch the Cubs within the coming days. It would require a 26-man transfer to open a position-player spot, although a commerce within the interim, particularly if it includes an outfielder, might resolve that.
Ross obtained a scouting report on McKinstry from Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts throughout a dialog Saturday morning. McKinstry can play the nook outfield spots and infield.
“It’s another flexible piece,” Ross mentioned earlier than the Cubs confronted the San Francisco Giants on Saturday at Oracle Park. “There’s some matchups the place we haven’t been in a position to maximize the splits of the opposing pitcher. So that’ll give us one other multifaceted participant that’s obtained a talent set at a variety of completely different spots.
“Give him a chance to come here and get some at-bats, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
The Cubs recalled right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. to exchange Martin. Right-hander Michael Rucker additionally joined the crew in San Francisco on the taxi squad.
Trading Martin kicks off a busy stretch for the Cubs main as much as Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Ross wasn’t feeling on edge Saturday because the Cubs’ commerce exercise formally obtained underway.
“If one thing will get shut and I’ve obtained to take anyone out — you guys know the way that each one performs out — however actually I’m targeted on the mindset of the day-to-day and attempting to compete, win ballgames. There’s sufficient for me to fret about and my teaching workers each day we’re attempting to get higher, so I attempt to keep targeted on that.
“It’s rare that I get outside of any kind of the winning-the-ballgame thoughts. I think the only time that’s in my mind is checking the phone before or after a game.”
Coming off a World Series title in Atlanta final season, Martin introduced the expertise and success the Cubs needed within the bullpen.
Martin was an vital a part of a aid group that includes a mixture of youthful arms and veterans. A dependable reliever the final 5 seasons, Martin solidified himself as a late-inning choice for Ross. The Cubs bullpen was anticipated to once more be examined by the commerce deadline after three of final season’s top-leverage arms have been traded.
McKinstry predominately has performed at Triple A this season, the place he hit .335/.417/.487 with a .904 OPS over 223 plate appearances in 48 video games. McKinstry appeared in solely 10 video games with the Dodgers in 2022, going 1-for-11 with three walks and 4 strikeouts.
Martin, 36, had a 4.31 ERA and 98 ERA+ in 34 appearances. He had been scuffling the final three weeks, permitting 5 runs and 10 hits in 5 innings over 5 appearances, till he stepped up in Thursday’s loss to the Giants to maintain the sport shut.
“We’ve had a really good bullpen, and he’s been a big part of that,” Ross mentioned. “Happy that he gets to go on and continue to chase another championship. His time here was was good.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com