MLB-NEWS: Surprising transaction The Chicago Cubs have formally declared that their amazing star outfielder is joining the San Francisco Giants. This has been reported by ESPN and several outlets this afternoon. However.

Cubs roster moves: Javier Assad activated, Luke Little heads to injured list

The Cubs added Assad as the “27th man” for Saturday’s doubleheader

The Chicago Cubs made a handful of roster moves prior to the start of their Saturday doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, including activating starting pitcher Javier Assad from the 15-day injured list.

Assad was placed on the IL on June 27 after suffering a right forearm extensor strain, according to the team. In a bit of interesting roster maneuvering, he was added to the roster as the so-called “27^th man,” with MLB teams permitted to add an extra player to their rosters in the event of a doubleheader.

That player is then typically sent back down to the minor leagues, but in Assad’s case, he will likely be added onto the official 26-man roster following the conclusion of the second game of the doubleheader, with the Cubs optioning another pitcher to the minor leagues with only one game to go before the All-Star break.

Assad is expected to start the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader, with Hayden Wesneski starting the first game of the day in St. Louis.

In 16 starts for the Cubs this season, Assad has a 4-3 record with a 3.04 ERA. He has struck out 79 batters in 83 innings of work, and has a WHIP of 1.28 on the season.

The other big roster move of the day came as the team placed Luke Little on the 15-day injured list after he suffered a left shoulder strain during Friday’s win over the Cardinals. Little appeared in the game in the eighth inning, but was forced to leave after only throwing four pitches to Lars Nootbaar.  He summoned trainers out to the mound and was immediately removed from the contest after experiencing discomfort in his shoulder.

Little has been on a hot streak in recent games, allowing just six hits and no earned runs in his last nine appearances prior to Friday night. He has 11 strikeouts and four walks during that time. On the season, he has a 3.46 ERA, with 28 strikeouts in 26 innings.