Jen-Ho

Tseng

Tseng was released by the Cubs after he was designated for assignment on April 11. The 24-year-old was once one of the top prospects in the Chicago system, but he’s struggled mightily in 2018 with a 6.27 ERA for Triple-A Iowa. He’ll likely be organizational depth for the Texas staff in 2019.

He was designated for assignment last week. The 24-year-old showed promise early in his Cubs tenure but flamed out last year, going just 2-15 with a hideous 6.27 ERA over 26 starts for Triple-A Iowa. Despite his struggles, the Taiwan native should catch on elsewhere as minor league depth.

The 24-year-old hurler never developed as the Cubs had hoped, registering a 9.00 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over eight innings in his three appearances at the big league level. He was also a disaster at Triple-A Iowa in 2018, posting a 6.27 ERA over 26 starts. There’s a chance he’ll pass through waivers and continue to function as depth for the Cubs.

Tseng failed to record a strikeout and served up a two-run tater to Brewers prospect Corey Ray in the second inning. The 24-year-old right-hander recorded a 6.27 ERA over 26 starts at Triple-A Iowa last year. He can be safely ignored in all mixed leagues.

The 18-year-old from Taiwan will receive a $1.625 million bonus. Tseng was the youngest player named to the Chinese Taipei World Baseball Classic roster this past spring and boasts a fastball that touches 95 mph. He’ll surely take a while to develop but has plenty of long-term upside.

He’s taking the spot of Mike Montgomery, who has been moved to the bullpen. Tseng was recently named the Cubs minor-league pitcher of the year. In 24 starts at Double-A and Triple-A, he posted a 2.45 ERA with 122 strikeouts in just over 145 innings.

The team’s minor-league pitcher of the year struggled with major league hitters, allowing a pair of homers among five hits. On the plus side, he did strike out six while walking just one. Tseng took over a starting spot in the Cubs’ rotation and one mediocre start won’t change that. He’ll try for better results Wednesday in an interleague tilt with the Rays.

The Cubs haven’t decided yet who will make the start, but it sounds like Tseng’s appearance Thursday versus the Mets might have been his lone start with the big club this month. The decision to start him Thursday was a fairly odd one to begin with.

Tseng didn’t allow a hit, but he walked two batters and hit another, so it’s fair to say he didn’t have his best command. The 23-year-old right-hander was excellent in Double-A and Triple-A last year, and earned two starts for the Cubs at the end of the 2017 campaign. He’s unlikely to make much of an impact in 2018 barring injuries, and could be a potential trade candidate for Chicago to a team looking for pitching depth.

The team has yet to announce the move. It’s strictly a spot start with Yu Darvish (flu) eligible to return next Monday. Tseng holds an ugly 8.04 ERA over six starts with Triple-A Iowa this season, though he has struck out 32 batters in 31 1/3 innings. It’s a good matchup, but the Cubs could rely heavily on their bullpen for this one.