Cubs recall four players from Double-A Tennessee

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today recalled left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin, right-handed pitchers Jaye Chapman and Rafael Dolis and catcher Anthony Recker from Double-A Tennessee.

All four players will be available for the Cubs tonight in Washington, D.C.  Rusin will make the start for the Cubs.  Recalled for the first time this season, Chapman will wear uniform number 37 and Recker will wear uniform number 20.  All four players were with Triple-A Iowa before moving to Tennessee after Iowa’s season ended prematurely due to Hurricane Isaac.

Rusin, 25, returns to the Cubs after making his major league debut August 21 in Milwaukee, taking the loss despite limiting the Brewers to only one run on one hit and two walks in 5.0 innings.  He was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2009 Draft out of the University of Kentucky.

The southpaw spent the majority of the 2012 season with Iowa, his first full season at Triple-A, and went 8-9 with a 4.55 ERA (71 ER/140.1 IP) in 25 starts.  Rusin made one start with Tennessee last Friday, tossing three scoreless innings.

Chapman, 25, joins the first major league roster of his professional career.  He was acquired by the Cubs from Atlanta with right-handed pitcher Arodys Vizcaino for lefthander Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson on July 30.  Overall this season, Chapman combined to go 3-8 with seven saves and a 4.02 ERA (29 ER/65.0 IP) in 50 relief appearances between Atlanta’s Triple-A Gwinnett affiliate, Iowa and Tennessee.

Originally selected by the Braves in the 16th round of the 2005 Draft, Chapman is 17-24 with 28 saves and a 4.03 ERA (171 ER/382.1 IP) in 252 minor league appearances, including eight starts.

Dolis, 24, returns to the Cubs for his third big league stint this season.  A member of Chicago’s Opening Day roster, Dolis was with the club through May 28 and from June 27-July 22, combining to go 2-4 with four saves and a 6.44 ERA (21 ER/29.1 IP) in 27 relief appearances.

With Iowa this season, Dolis went 0-1 with three saves and a 2.51 ERA (4 ER/14.1 IP) in 13 relief appearances, as he was on the Triple-A disabled list from July 27-August 28 due to a left knee strain.  He tossed scoreless relief appearances with Tennessee on September 1 and September 3. 

Recker, 29, was acquired from Oakland on August 27 for catcher Blake Lalli.  Recker was a member of Oakland’s 2012 Opening Day roster but was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on May 27, where he was hitting .265 (53-for-200) with seven doubles, nine home runs, 29 RBI, a .358 on-base percentage and a .793 OPS before being designated for assignment on August 20.  In parts of two major league seasons, Recker has batted .146 (7-for-48) in 18 games.

A right-handed batter and thrower, Recker batted .227 (5-for-22) with two doubles, one home run and four RBI in seven games between Iowa and Tennessee.