Cubs Select Jesus Tinoco, Place Jordan Wicks on 60-Day IL

We’re not yet sure whether Jesus saves, but it’s pretty evident he has no healing power. The Cubs have selected the contract of Jesus Tinoco, who they recently acquired from the Royals for cash, and they’ve added him to the active roster. In order to make room on the 40-man, they transferred Jordan Wicks to the 60-day IL. The lefty has been out since leaving his June 14 start with an oblique injury and hadn’t been progressing as well as hoped, but this isn’t necessarily terrible news.

Since he’s already been out for more than a month, he could still return by mid-August provided he’s healthy. And since he’s going to need time to ramp back up, this designation may not delay his return by much. A far greater concern, at least for me, is that the Cubs are yet again turning to a bullpen arm considered highly expendable by his previous team(s). It feels like they’re playing Russian roulette with relievers and can’t keep coming out on top, but perhaps Jed Hoyer knows something we don’t.

Tinoco has served as a fill-in closer, so maybe we’ll see his mid-90s fastball in the 9th inning at some point. I think it’s more likely he turns chatter into whine by walking too many opposing batters, something that has cost him jobs in the past. But hey, maybe I’ll be proven wrong and this will be another case of the bullpen improving via an unlikely outside addition.