Fox to DL; Ascanio up
MILWAUKEE _ The Cubs this morning placed Chad Fox on the disabled list and recalled pitcher Jose Ascanio from Class AAA Iowa. The team terme Fox's injury right-elbow inflammation. The oft-injured veteran hurt the elbow again Saturday night when he threw a pitch against the Brewers and had to leave the game. One of the better guys in baseball, Fox has had multiple elbow surgeries.
Ascanio was in Iowa's starting rotation, going 1-1 with a 1.01 ERA and a WHIP of 0.94. In 26 2-3 innings, he gave up 18 hits while walking seven and striking out 26. The Cubs obtained the 24-year-old righty from Atlanta in a Dec. 4, 2007 trade for Will Ohman and Omar Infante. He pitched in 6 games last year with the Cubs, going 0-0 with a 7.94 ERA. The Cubs like his changeup, and they put him in Iowa's rotation to round out his repertoire.
In other minor-league news, outfielder Tyler Colvin was involved in a nasty collision Saturday with teammate Tony Campana in Class A Daytona's game with Clearwater. Both players were taken off the field on stretchers and transported to a hospital. Tests determined both suffered concussions. Colvin was the Cubs' top draft pick in 2006. He underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last November and had recently moved back to the field after serving as DH.
More later, including the lineups.
I'm a little sorry to see the progress Ascanio's been making with his secondary pitches in the Iowa rotation get disrupted by a callup to the major league bullpen. All the same, he very likely was a better option than Jeff Stevens. Stevens has pitched well in relief, but he has *not* been throwing strikes; he's getting away with it against Triple-A hitters, but major league hitters would probably make him pay for it. I think Lou's head will explode if he gets another bullpen replacement who walks the bases loaded. Up to now, Ascanio's command has been sharp; let's hope it stays that way...