Cubs Roster Moves: P.J. Higgins selected from Iowa, designate infielder for assignment |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today selected catcher P.J. Higgins from Triple-A Iowa and designated infielder Ildemaro Vargas for assignment.
Higgins, 28, has hit .417 (30-for-72) with eight doubles, one home run, 17 RBI, 12 walks, a .500 on-base percentage and a 1.069 OPS in 22 games for Iowa this season. He recorded a five-hit game May 8 at St. Paul and in his last three games since May 18 has seven hits, three doubles and seven RBI. Higgins has made 13 starts at catcher, three at first base, three at third base and two as the team’s designated hitter. The right-handed hitting Higgins made his major league debut with Chicago last season, appearing in nine games (1-for 23) before he was placed on the injured list June 11 with a right forearm strain, ending his season. The Cubs were 5-0 in his five starts and he recorded a 1.76 catcher’s ERA (9 ER/46.0 IP). Selected by Chicago in the 12th round of the 2015 Draft out of Old Dominion University, Higgins has batted .279 (501-for-1,797) with 97 doubles, eight triples, 22 home runs and 210 RBI in 506 minor league games spanning seven seasons. He owns a .365 on-base percentage thanks in part to 233 walks compared to 322 strikeouts in 2,100 plate appearances. Vargas, 30, had a .130 (3-for-23) batting average with one triple, one home run and four RBI in 10 games for the Cubs this season. The #Cubs today selected catcher P.J. Higgins from @IowaCubs.
Ildemaro Vargas was designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/UurAUgPe41
