Zach McKinstry had a sense he quickly can be on the transfer from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Conversations with Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts and understanding how he match within the group’s plans ready McKinstry for Saturday’s commerce to the Chicago Cubs. He joined the staff Sunday and was added to the roster after first baseman Alfonso Rivas was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
McKinstry already is perhaps endearing himself to Chicago. He gave a shout-out in a social media publish to deep-dish pizza and Lou Malnati’s. McKinstry grew up about three hours away in Fort Wayne, Ind., and made “a bunch” of journeys to Chicago. He even obtained a direct message from Lou Malnati’s on Instagram.
“Definitely know a lot of other pizza and a big fan of their pizza,” McKinstry mentioned earlier than Sunday evening’s recreation towards the San Francisco Giants. “In Phoenix where I live now, we go at least once a month to splurge a little bit.”
Joining the Cubs presents a recent alternative for the 27-year-old infielder/outfielder and doubtlessly extra enjoying time, one thing that was restricted on a loaded Dodgers roster. From the Cubs’ perspective, McKinstry offers them a left-handed bat they’ll plug in at a number of positions and presumably unlock extra in the event that they discover him common at-bats after the commerce deadline.
He struck out in his Cubs debut as a pinch hitter within the eighth inning Sunday.
“Playing every day is my goal, and that’s why we’re here,” McKinstry mentioned. “I felt almost like a caged animal there just hanging out on the bench — getting to see what they’re doing, though, learning from some of the best in the game — and I’m excited to use it now.”
McKinstry desires Cubs followers to know he goes arduous, performs to one of the best of his capacity and offers 100% on each play.
“I just want to win baseball games,” he mentioned. “So that’s my main priority. And I think we’re going to have a good opportunity of doing that.”
This minor commerce for veteran reliever Chris Martin is the kind that may pay dividends by allocating bench assets elsewhere. The Cubs have two months to see if McKinstry generally is a utility participant whom supervisor David Ross can slot in the place wanted subsequent yr or a left-handed bat off the bench.
Good groups can discover these kinds of gamers internally. And with extra enjoying time and an prolonged look, maybe McKinstry can get locked in and grow to be an on a regular basis participant.
Regardless, it is a low-risk commerce for a big-league-ready participant whom the Cubs can consider the subsequent couple of weeks.
The Cubs additionally made a take care of the Giants on Sunday in an change of minor-leaguers. They acquired right-hander Raynel Espinal for infielder Dixon Machado, whom the Giants added to the lively roster and began at shortstop Sunday evening.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com