Cubs Make Roster Move: Matt Mervis Demoted, Miles Mastrobuoni Recalled

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ICARO Media Group
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04/05/2024 20h59

In a recent roster move, the Chicago Cubs have decided to demote infielder Matt Mervis back to Triple-A Iowa and recall Miles Mastrobuoni to take his place. The announcement was made via the official Cubs Twitter account.

This decision comes as a disappointment for Mervis, who had been given a second golden opportunity to prove himself in the big leagues. Despite impressive Triple-A numbers, his performance fell short during his time in the majors. Last year, Mervis had a chance to make an impact but could only manage a slash line of .167/.242/.290 with a 32.3% strikeout rate over 99 plate appearances.

During his recent stint in the majors, Mervis struggled even more, posting a line of .115/.148/.154 with a negative weighted runs created (wRC+) of -14 in just nine games. His walk rate was at a low of 3.6%, while his strikeout rate stood at nearly 29%. Furthermore, key statistical indicators such as average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage all declined from his underwhelming debut season.

With the return of Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki on the horizon, Mervis's demotion was a necessary move to accommodate the rejoining players. Mastrobuoni, who has previously been considered as a bench piece, emerged as the preferred choice to fill the gap left by Mervis.

Looking ahead, the Cubs will likely rely on Mastrobuoni, along with Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal, to shoulder the majority of the designated hitter (DH) responsibilities until Bellinger and Suzuki are fully fit. However, there are doubts about whether Mervis will get a third chance in the near future.

In the larger scope of the roster, some fans suggest that Pete Crow-Armstrong should be given a shot at the DH role if Bellinger and Suzuki return soon. Crow-Armstrong, with a comparable skill set and a promising performance so far, has shown potential to make an impact at the major league level. However, the Cubs seem to be taking a cautious and incremental approach to their decisions.

As of now, the Cubs have officially announced the demotion of Matt Mervis and the recall of Miles Mastrobuoni. Cubs fans and observers will be keen to see how this change pans out for the team as they navigate the upcoming games and the potential return of key players.

*(Information derived from the provided text)*

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