First of all, you know damn well the Padres didn’t just release Manny Machado and Dixon Machado is clearly wearing a Tigers uniform in the picture. But yeah, the Cubs didn’t have a game on Friday after their 12-4 Opening Day win over the Rangers and it is kind of a slow news day. So, welcome to the site, the Cubs signed right-handed hitting shortstop Dixon Machado.
According to AZ Phil at @thecubreporter, the Cubs have signed Dixon Machado to a minor lg contract. He will provide middle infield depth for the Iowa Cubs, in all likelihood. Machado has bounced between AAA and the Majors (with Detroit) since 2015.
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) March 29, 2019
Here’s the link from The Cub Reporter.
Machado, 27, has played in 172 MLB games all with the Tigers from 2015-18. He had his best season in 2017, slashing .259./.302/.319, yeah he’s not much of a power hitter and really the Cubs only signed him to provide some infield depth at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs.
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A few other notes from the Cubs minor league system.
Run down of notes from AZ Phil today:
Rob Zastryzny and Robert Robbins (an offseason signing from Driveline) were released.
Yasiel Balaguert looks like his playing career is over but apparently will stay in the org as the hitting coach for the AZL Cubs1 squad so congrats to him.— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst) March 26, 2019
Rob Zastryzny, who made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2016, didn’t get many chances in the big leagues, throwing a total of 34.2 innings in parts of three seasons. The lefty had a 4.41 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 18 MLB games. Zastryzny was picked in the second round of the 2013 daft and was actually the first pitcher to get to the big leagues for the Cubs who was picked under Theo Epstein’s regime on the North Side.
Fortunately for Zastryzny, he’s found a new opportunity to continue his playing career in the Dodgers organization.
Thank you Chicago @Cubs.
I’m excited to continue my career with the Los Angeles @Dodgers organization. #nextchapter pic.twitter.com/1yzZlXkRBM
— Rob Zastryzny (@RobZastryzny_8) March 28, 2019
Good luck, Rob.
