The Cubs claimed 25 year old right handed pitcher Alex Burnett from the Orioles. It is expected he will be put on the major league roster to place Fujikawa.
This waiver claim may make the least sense of all, if one looks at the body of work of Burnett. But it does signal that besides Dolis, the front office has no confidence or investment in any Triple A pitcher in Iowa.
Burnett career stats are bad:
In 176 major league games, he is 8-11, 4.73 ERA, and 1.458 WHIP. This year, he pitched in 2 games for the Orioles, going only 1 1/3 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks and ending with a 20.25 ERA, and 4.50 WHIP.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum remembered Burnett after facing him when he was with the Twins.
"He has a pretty good arm, 93, 95 [mph], good run on his fastball," Sveum said. "He has the ability to throw a strike, breaking ball at any time. Not a lot of secondary stuff, but pretty decent velocity with pretty good movement on his fastball."
The Cubs' bullpen has already lost Shawn Camp, on the disabled list with a sprained right big toe, and now Fujikawa.
Burnett made a career-high 67 relief appearances for the Twins last season, going 4-4 with 10 holds and a 3.52 ERA. He led the club in relief innings, and his 2.49 ERA prior to the All-Star break ranked fourth among American League relievers.
This season, Burnett was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in nine Minor League relief appearances between Triple-A Buffalo and Triple-A Norfolk.
Again, it appears that the Cubs are hoping that a change of scenery with somehow convert a pitcher on the downhill slide into a productive pitching asset.
