Cubs DFA Rafael Soriano, James Russell To Make Room For September Additions
(CBS) The Cubs designated right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano and left-handed reliever James Russell for assignment Tuesday, opening up two more spots on their 40-man roster as they promoted four players with rosters expanding.
Chicago called up infielder Javier Baez, left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, outfielder Quentin Berry and right-hander Trevor Cahill from Triple-A Iowa.
Baez, 22, was tearing it up at Triple-A, hitting .324 and working on a 16-game hitting streak. He had 13 homers and 61 RBIs in 70 games. He didn't make the Cubs' roster out of spring training, then dealt with family tragedy and a broken finger that kept him out for weeks.
Wada, 34, went 1-1 with a 3.73 ERA in seven starts for the Cubs earlier this season. He had a 3.95 ERA at Triple-A Iowa.
Berry, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Aug. 24 after spending the whole season with Red Sox Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket, where he batted .228 with 35 steals in 106 games.
Cahill, 27, signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Aug. 18 and registered five scoreless relief outings at Iowa covering 7 2.3 innings.
Russell had a 5.29 ERA in 49 appearances for Chicago this season. Soriano had a 6.35 ERA in six appearances.
The Cubs also added newly acquired outfielder Austin Jackson to the active roster and activated catcher David Ross from the family medical emergency leave list.
The Cubs now have 40 players on their 40-man roster and 30 players on their active roster.