Cubs Recall Jeremiah Estrada, Option Javier Assad

See below for the Cubs’ press release on their latest personnel move. Jeremiah Estrada is a hard-throwing righty who could get some high-leverage opportunities as the close spot looks to be in flux.

The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Estrada from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-handed pitcher Javier Assad to Iowa.

Estrada, 24, has made five scoreless relief appearances for Iowa this year, spanning 6.0 innings, with two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. He has limited opponents to a .100 batting average (2-for-20) and a .182 on-base percentage.

Estrada made his major league debut August 30 of last season and posted no record with a 3.18 ERA (2 ER/5.2 IP) in five relief appearances for Chicago. Last year between High-A South Bend, Double-A Tennessee and Iowa, he went 3-2 with a 1.30 ERA (7 ER/48.1 IP), nine saves and five holds in 34 games out of the bullpen. Estrada struck out 78 of 193 batters faced, compared to 20 walks, for an average of 14.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

A native of Coachella, Calif., Estrada was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Palm Desert (Calif.) High School. In all or part of five minor league seasons, he is 4-4 with nine saves and a 1.81 ERA (19 ER/94.1 IP) in 57 games, all but three as a reliever. He has walked 40 and struck out 144, good for an average of 13.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.

Assad, 25, is 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA (8 ER/7.1 IP) in three games (one start) for Chicago this season. He has made one appearance for Iowa this season, allowing two runs in 2.2 innings.