Roster Update: Chapman Added to Cubs Roster, Clayton Richard Designated for Assignment
The move we thought should have happened last week, when the Cubs shipped Adam Warren to triple A Iowa to make room for Joe Nathan, has actually happened today. With the addition of Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs 25-man roster someone needed to be sent down and today we find out that means Clayton Richard is the guy with the short stick.
The #Cubs today added LHP Aroldis Chapman to the 25-man roster. LHP Clayton Richard has been designated for assignment.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 26, 2016
For his part, Richard was not having a good year and was certainly one of the weakest links in the Cubs bullpen. He has a 6.43 ERA and had given up 10 earned runs – 14 runs total, including unearned runs – in 14 innings. This move makes sense as now the LOOGY spot will belong to Montgomery.
The Cubs will now have ten days to trade, waive or outright release Richard, who was earning a salary of $2 million.