CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today placed right-handed pitcher José Cuas on the bereavement list and recalled left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay from Triple-A Iowa.
Kay, 28, begins his second stint with Chicago after he was selected from Iowa June 13 and pitched to a 6.35 ERA (8 ER/11.1 IP) with eight walks and eight strikeouts in 13 relief appearances. He was optioned back to Iowa August 6 and has posted a 3.86 ERA (3 ER/7.0 IP) with six walks, 12 strikeouts and a .185 opponent batting average (5-for-27) in five relief appearances.
Claimed off waivers from Toronto in December of last year, Kay has posted a 4-2 record with a 5.60 ERA (51 ER/82.0 IP) in 41 major league games (seven starts) for the Blue Jays (2019-22) and Cubs. He has averaged 9.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (85 SO in 82.0 IP).
Selected by the Mets in the first round (31st overall) of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Connecticut, he was traded to Toronto July 28, 2019, with right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods-Richardson for right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman and a cash consideration.
Cuas, 29, was acquired from the Royals July 31 for outfielder Nelson Velázquez and has a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/12.0 IP) with 11 walks and seven strikeouts in 11 relief appearances for Chicago.
