Cubs activate INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio and recall RHP Kyle Hendricks
Infielder Darwin Barney designated for assignment, lefthander Zac Rosscup optioned to Triple-A
The Chicago Cubs today activated infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio from the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks from Triple-A Iowa. Infielder Darwin Barney has been designated for assignment and left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup was optioned to Triple-A.
Hendricks will be the starting pitcher and Bonifacio will be available for the Cubs tonight in their series opener vs. the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field.
Bonifacio, 29, returns to the Cubs after being on the disabled list with a right oblique strain since June 13. The switch-hitter is batting .261 (63-for-241) with 10 doubles, three triples, 16 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 61 games for the Cubs this season. Bonifacio saw action in seven games during his rehab assignment and batted .269 (7-for-26), including a four-hit performance on Sunday in his final game for Double-A Tennessee. Bonifacio originally signed a minor league deal with the Cubs last February 15 and had his contract selected just prior to Opening Day.
Hendricks, 24, joins the Cubs for the second time this season after making his big league debut July 10 at Cincinnati when he recorded a no decision in Chicago's 6-4 win. The righthander allowed four runs on five hits and three walks in 6.0 innings, striking out seven. A 2014 Pacific Coast League All-Star, Hendricks is 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA (41 ER/102.2 IP) in 17 starts for Iowa this year. He was named the 2013 Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 13-4 with a complete game shutout and a 2.00 ERA (37 ER/166.1 IP) between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa.
Barney, 28, batted .230 (47-for-204) with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 16 RBI in 72 games for the Cubs this season. He won the 2012 National League Gold Glove at second base after tying a major league single-season record with 141-consecutive errorless games at second base. Since making his big league debut with the Cubs in 2010, Barney has batted .244 (455-for-1,861) with 88 doubles, 18 home runs and 146 RBI in 542 games.
Rosscup, 26, has no record and a 7.50 ERA (5 ER/6.0 IP) in seven relief appearances for the Cubs this season. He is 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA (6 ER/20.2 IP) in 20 games with Iowa this year.