Todd

Wellemeyer

Wellemeyer had a lousy first start for Double-A West Tenn, but he’s fanned 34 while posting a 5.48 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old is quite the sleeper prospect, but the Cubs don’t figure to need him any time soon.

Mark Guthrie could be activated Tuesday, and there doesn’t appear to be any other easy choices to make.

“The shoulder feels fine,” Wellemeyer said, in relation to his strained shoulder. Once he completes a rehab assignment he will likely return to the Cubs’ bullpen within a couple of weeks.

The Cubs are terming the injury a strained right shoulder, or a dorsal-lat strain. He could go on the DL but may be able to avoid surgery.

Wellemeyer will work in middle relief for now, but he is a candidate to get some starts for the Cubs down the stretch. He has a 4.74 ERA in 18 appearances this season.

Perhaps he’ll be dispatched for Jon Leicester or Sergio Mitre tomorrow.

Wellemeyer has a 2.97 ERA in 36 1/3 innings since being claimed off waivers from the Marlins two months ago. Perhaps the performance will earn him some starts later this season.

More consistent work still didn’t lead to better command from Wellemeyer. He gave up 13 runs and walked 13 in 21 1/3 innings during his two months with the Marlins.

A smart pickup. Wellemeyer is 27 now, but he still has quite a bit of upside as a reliever and the Royals have nothing to lose by giving him a regular role. Since there’s some chance that he’ll be a candidate for saves later on, AL-only leaguers should keep an eye on him.

Wellemeyer, who is out of options, was acquired in a trade with the Cubs during the off-season. He has a 5.38 ERA in 21 1/3 innings this season. He will likely be picked up by another team who needs bullpen help.