Asencio Arrives to Join I-Cubs Bullpen

New Orleans, LA - RH Jairo Asencio joins the I-Cubs today and will be available out of the bullpen tonight. Asencio was designated for assignment by Chicago on July 19 and, after clearing waivers, was outrighted to Iowa on July 26.

The Cubs claimed Asencio off waivers from Cleveland on June 1. He had no record and a 3.07 ERA in 12 games with the Chicago. He walked 11 and struck out eight in 14.2 innings pitched. He was 1-1 with a 5.96 ERA in 18 games with the Indians to begin the season. The Indians had purchased his contract from the Atlanta Braves in March. In the off-season, he was named the MVP of the Caribbean Series with three saves in three games for Escogido in the Dominican Republic.

Last year, Asencio spent most of his season with triple-A Gwinnett of the Braves organization and was 3-2 with a 1.81 ERA and 26 saves in 47 games. He had nine games in the big leagues with Atlanta between 2009 and '11. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a non-drafted free agent in February, 2001.

The Cubs play game three of a four-game series in New Orleans tonight at 7:00 pm. Lefty Chris Rusin (7-7, 5.20) will start for the Cubs against RH Elih Villanueva (7-5, 3.89) for the Zephyrs. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 6:40.