Cubs DFA Vince Velasquez, Recall Jordan Wicks

Vince Velasquez became the latest pitcher to be thrown from a bullpen merry-go-round that has quickly turned into a centrifuge. After working an inning of mop-up duty on Saturday night in Milwaukee, just his second MLB appearance of the season, Velasquez has been designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Jordan Wicks. That’s just a matter of the Cubs needing some fresh arms that can give them a little length out of the bullpen, starting with Sunday in Milwaukee.

Wicks almost feels like something of a sacrificial lamb in the event that Craig Counsell has to create a fire break, as the lefty has not been effective at the big league level. Though 6.1 innings in two emergency starts back in May, Wicks has allowed 11 earned runs on 13 hits with six strikeouts and a walk. Some of that could be attributed to poor fortune in a brief stint, but his 5.86 career ERA over 101.1 MLB innings says he’s running out of chances.

Were it not for the plague of injuries sweeping across the staff this season, he might have had a change of scenery already. The stuff is there, it’s just a matter of putting it together against MLB hitters.