The Chicago Cubs have designated 25-year old righty reliever Brian Schlitter for assignment. Schlitter missed all of the 2011 season due to an elbow injury. Schlitter pitched in 7 games (0 starts) for the Cubs in 2010 and he was 0-1 with a 12.38 ERA and a 2.88 WHIP. He gave up 18 hits (2 homers) and walked 7 batters in his 8 innings in the show. The Cubs aren’t going to miss Schlitter at all going forward.

UPDATE: (10/5/2011) - The Cubs have outrighted Brian Schlitter to AAA.

29-year old lefty reliever Sean Marshall has been outstanding once again in 2011 for the Cubs. Marshall has pitched in 77 games (0 starts) for the Cubs this year and he is 6-6 with 5 saves, a 2.28 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has now pitched in 157 games (0 starts) in his last two years as a full-time reliever and he is 13-11 with 6 saves, a 2.47 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Marshall has only given up 124 hits while whiffing 167 batters in his last two years with the Cubs in only 149 2/3 innings, which is pretty darn impressive. Marshall has now pitched in 291 games (59 starts) in his first six years with the Cubs and he is 32-40 with 7 saves, a 3.96 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Marshall is one of the best lefty relievers in all of baseball right now.

Since August 1st, 29-year old righty starting pitcher Randy Wells has gotten his act back together. Wells has started 10 games since August 1st, and he is 5-1 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has pitched in 22 games (all starts) overall this year for the Cubs and he is 7-5 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Wells has now pitched in 84 games (81 starts) in his first four years with the Cubs and he is 27-29 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He will likely have to fight for a spot in the Cubs’ starting rotation next spring.

The Cubs have shut down 34-year old righty reliever Kerry Wood for the rest of the season as he needs surgery on his left knee. Wood pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Cubs this year and he was 3-5 with 1 save, a 3.35 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He only gave up 45 hits in 51 innings this year while whiffing 57 batters, so he showed in 2011 that he still has it. Wood has now pitched in 331 games (178 starts) in his 11 years with the Cubs and he is 80-66 with 35 saves, a 3.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Wood wants to return to the Cubs in 2012 and I think they should re-sign him as he looked good in 2011. But, if the Cubs don’t want him back, Wood has stated that he will retire.

27-year old righty reliever Justin Berg is going to have Tommy John Surgery tomorrow which will wipe out his 2012 season. Berg pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the Cubs this year and he is 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has now pitched in 60 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Cubs and he is 0-1 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. This won’t be a huge loss for the Cubs, but it would have been nice to have him around in the pen in 2012.

UPDATE: (9/29/2011) - The Cubs have designated Justin Berg for assignment.

UPDATE II: (10/5/2011) - The Cubs have outrighted Justin Berg to AAA.