Cubs Place Daniel Descalso on IL and Add Derek Holland to Roster
By Michael Luciano
The Chicago Cubs took a flyer on a struggling lefty in the hopes of patching up the back end of their bullpen when they acquired 32-year-old Derek Holland from the San Francisco Giants.
In order to make room on their active roster, veteran infielder Daniel Descalso was placed on the IL.
The Cubs have placed INF Daniel Descalso on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 24) with a sprained left ankle. LHP Derek Holland has been added to the active roster.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 27, 2019
Descalso had been seeing some somewhat consistent playing time given the well-documented struggles of Addison Russell, but his -1.1 WAR and .181 average mean that the Cubs aren't exactly going to be handicapped much without him.
After a renaissance season in 2018, Holland lost his touch this year and was demoted to the bullpen. In 31 games (seven starts) with the Giants this season, Holland was 2-4 with a 5.90 ERA.
Even in this poor season, left-handed hitters can only manage a .182 average against Holland, as compared to the .293 average and 17 home runs right-handed hitters have against him.
Cubs Acquire Pitcher Derek Holland from Giants – Dude Has Been Ridiculous Against Lefties https://t.co/FnNyFT5XCo pic.twitter.com/0pea09VIEe
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 26, 2019
He may not be the biggest relief addition out there, but he's shown that he can still work as a lefty specialist, which the Cubs were in need of, on a team heading to the postseason.