SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Smokies, Class AA minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, announce today that Smokies OF Richie Robnett has been promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In a related roster move, P Jesse Estrada has been sent from Iowa to Tennessee. Estrada returns to Tennessee after appearing in 17 games, all in relief, during the 2008 season for the Smokies. He's spent all of this year in Iowa, going 1-1 with a 10.50 ERA in 13 relief appearances. Estrada was selected by Chicago in the 34th round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Robnett appeared in 30 of Tennessee's 36 games this year, hitting .184 (14-76) with two home runs and eight RBIs. Robnett was a first-round selection (26th overall) of the Oakland Athletics in the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft, acquired by the Chicago Cubs in the Michael Wuertz trade with Oakland on February 2, 2009. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
