From the Wire: Cubs Recall Victor Caratini, DFA Chris Gimenez

From the Wire

Author:

Neil Finnell

Publish Date:

07/04/2018

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Cubs recall C/1B Victor Caratini from Triple-A Iowa … C Chris Gimenez designated for assignment

The Cubs made two roster moves prior to the Fourth of July game against the Tigers. The Cubs recalled catcher/first baseman Victor Caratini from Iowa. To make room on the active roster, veteran catcher Chris Gimenez was designated for assignment.

The Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 38 players.

Victor Caratini is back up in the majors and should remain on the big league team for the remainder of the year. Caratini gives Joe Maddon options that Chris Gimenez could not. Plus, with Yu Darvish on the disabled list and no timeframe for his return, Gimenez taking a roster spot was questionable at best.

Caratini should see time behind the plate moving forward on the days Kyle Hendricks is on the hill. And Caratini can spell Anthony Rizzo at first base when the Cubs Captain needs a breather.

A member of the Cubs Opening Day roster, Caratini batted .262 (17-for-65) with three doubles and four RBI in 26 games for the Cubs before being optioned to Triple-A on May 25. With Iowa, Caratini has batted .313 (36-for-115) with seven doubles, four home runs and 22 RBI in 32 games. He has posted a .409 on-base percentage and a .478 slugging percentage, good for a .887 OPS. He has played 18 games at catcher, 12 at first base and one at third base with Iowa this season.

Victor Caratini, 24, made his Major League debut with the Cubs last year and hit .254 (15-for-59) with three doubles, one home run and two RBI in 31 games. The switch-hitting Caratini batted .342 (100-for-292) with 27 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 61 RBI in 83 games for Iowa last year. Named a Pacific Coast League All-Star, he turned in a .393 on-base percentage and a .558 slugging mark, good for a .951 OPS.

Chris Gimenez, 35, batted .143 (4-for-28) with one RBI in 12 games with the Cubs. With Iowa, he batted .224 (26-for-116) with six doubles and seven RBI in 36 games.