The Cubs have designated P Rodrigo Lopez for assignment
With Michael Bowden’s arrival to the team, a spot needed to be opened for him in the bullpen, and I think the logic inevitably points to Lopez as the man to go. The Cubs now have 10 days to put Lopez on waivers, trade him, or release him. If he passes waivers, they can choose to send him to the minors, although Lopez will have the right to refuse that assignment and become a free agent. I’ll update this post when we find out what the outcome is.
Anyway, Lopez was not very good with the Cubs last year, and in four appearances this year, he’s been even worse, allowing 6 runs in 6.1 IP while walking 5 and striking out only 2. He’s 36, he’s nearing the end of his career, and realistically he was a dead end on a bad team that was looking to get younger.
EDIT (04/24/2012): Lopez has cleared waivers and has been assigned to Iowa.
