Cubs recall Jake Arrieta; option Eduardo Sanchez

When Jake Arrieta was a prospect with the Baltimore Orioles, he was considered to be the “next big thing”, but even after a long and winding road, it appears he’ll have yet another chance in the Major Leagues.

Arrieta was recalled to the Majors in order to start for the Chicago Cubs on Friday, and he’ll square off with Jake Westbrook and the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be the second start of Arrieta’s tenure with the Cubs (he was acquired from the Orioles in the Scott Feldman trade), as he took the mound in a game with the Brewers in late July that saw him throw 6 innings of 1-run ball.

For his career, the 27-year-old right-hander has really struggled in posting a 5.39 ERA over 364 innings. His general “stuff” is better than that number would present, but an unacceptable walk rate of 4.01 walks per 9 innings isn’t doing anything to help him succeed. Chicago is in a full rebuild at this point, however, and they will like give him a legitimate opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation going forward.

In order to make room for Arrieta before Friday, the Cubs optioned relief pitcher Eduardo Sanchez. Sanchez has a 5.68 ERA over 4 appearances this year for Chicago, and the 24-year-old was the easiest player to move without using an additional option.

The clock isn’t running out on Jake Arrieta just yet, but it would certainly help for him to succeed in the very near future.