Cubs select the contract of RHP Michael Bowden, option LHP Brooks Raley

The Chicago Cubs today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Michael Bowden from Triple-A Iowa. Left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley has been optioned to Triple-A.

Bowden will be available for the Cubs tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

Bowden, 26, was a member of Chicago's Opening Day roster and is 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA (7 ER/16.2 IP) in 14 relief appearances with the Cubs. He has limited opponents to a .237 batting average, a .308 on-base percentage and a .288 slugging percentage, good for a .596 opponents OPS. He has allowed one earned run or less in 13 of his 14 outings and has not allowed a home run in 16.2 innings pitched. Bowden was designated for assignment on May 21 to make room for Matt Garza's return from the disabled list.

With Iowa, Bowden posted no record, two saves and a 2.41 ERA (5 ER/18.2 IP) in 13 relief appearances. The righthander struck out 28 batters and walked only three in 18.2 innings, an average of 13.5 strikeouts and only 1.4 walks per nine innings. He joins the Cubs having not allowed a run in his last 12.0 innings pitched, covering nine outings, while limiting opponents to a .122 batting average during that span.

Bowden was acquired by the Cubs from the Red Sox for outfielder Marlon Byrd on April 21, 2012. He is a 2005 graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois and was originally selected by the Red Sox in the supplemental round (47th overall) of the 2005 Draft. 

Raley, 25, made his 2013 debut with the Cubs last night and allowed two runs in 4.1 innings of relief (4.15 ERA). He is 6-6 with a 4.91 ERA (48 ER/88.0 IP) in 17 appearances (16 starts) with Iowa this season.