Tseng is dealing with a shoulder injury and has yet to face hitters since signing a minor-league deal with the Rangers in early April, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Rangers have a need for rotation depth at both the major-league and Triple-A levels, but it doesn't appear Tseng will be a potential solution to those problems anytime soon. Based on where he's currently at in his recovery from injury, it's unlikely that he'll report to one of the Rangers' minor-league affiliates until July at the earliest.
... See More... See Less
Rangers' Jen-Ho Tseng: Signs with Rangers
Rotowire
Tseng signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Wednesday.
Tseng is headed south after being released by the Cubs last week. The 24-year-old spent most of the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Iowa, compiling a 6.27 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 136.1 innings (26 starts). Tseng will report to extended spring training to begin a throwing program.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Released by Cubs
Rotowire
Tseng was released by the Cubs on Thursday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Tseng appeared in one game for the Cubs this season, giving up three runs on four hits in two innings pitched. The 24-year-old was designated for assignment Saturday before ultimately being released Thursday. Tseng has a career 9.00 ERA through eight innings pitched in the majors.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Tseng was designated for assignment Saturday.
Tseng has yet to appear in a game this season after making spot starts in both of the past two seasons for the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Heads to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Tseng to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Tseng made a spot start with the Cubs in both of the past two seasons, but the right-hander wasn't under consideration for an Opening Day rotation spot with Yu Darvish reporting to camp healthy. The 24-year-old will instead make regular starts at Iowa to begin the upcoming campaign and wait for injuries at the big-league level to open up an opportunity.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Gets starting nod for spring opener
Rotowire
Tseng will start the Cubs' Cactus League opener against the Brewers on Saturday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Tseng had a rough year in 2018, finding little success in the minors (6.27 ERA in 26 starts) or the majors (three earned runs in two innings pitched). He'll get the first starting nod of spring training, though the Cubs' rotation is chock full of veteran arms, likely leaving Tseng with a ticket back to Triple-A to begin 2019.
Tseng pitched just two innings in Tuesday's start, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out three against the Marlins.
Tseng was called up to make a spot start in place of Yu Darvish (illness), and was only given two frames (39 pitches). There was no indication of any injury, but he didn't look sharp and yielded three runs in the first, leading to manager Joe Maddon's quick hook. Darvish would be eligible to return for Monday's tilt against the Braves, so it remains unclear if Tseng will make another start with the big-league club.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Tseng was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
The soft-tossing righty gave up three earned runs on four hits (one home run) in two innings in his spot start Tuesday against the Marlins, so it is no surprise to see him headed back to the Iowa Cubs. He may be summoned for another spot start or two this season, or perhaps to serve as a long reliever, but is unlikely to gain relevancy in most fantasy formats.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Called up to start Tuesday
Rotowire
Tseng was called up from Triple-A Iowa and will start Tuesday against the Marlins, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Tseng pitched six innings for the Cubs last season, allowing five runs. He has a 8.04 ERA in 31.1 innings for Iowa so far this season, though he had a much better 1.80 ERA in nine starts at the same level in 2017. He projects as a back-end starter at best with no noteworthy pitches.
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: May pick up big-league spot start
Rotowire
Tseng was scratched from his start with Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
Though this may normally signal an injury, it seems more likely that it is in response to Yu Darvish (illness) landing on the disabled list Monday. Tseng may be called up to the big leagues to fill the vacancy in the Cubs' rotation, though the official move likely won't be announced until Tuesday before the game. If he does in fact fill in for Darvish, he'll take on the Marlins at Wrigley Field.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Off to slow start at Triple-A
Rotowire
Through six starts with Triple-A Iowa. Tseng is 0-4 with an 8.04 ERA and 1.85 WHIP.
The 23-year-old's first start of the year was solid, as he gave up just two earned runs over five innings of work, but it's been all downhill since then. In his last 26.1 innings, Tseng has allowed 26 earned runs, with opposing batters drawing 12 walks and blasting five home runs. Tseng had a strong 1.80 ERA across 55 innings with Iowa last season, though a 4.25 FIP suggested some regression was coming. The Cubs can afford to let the young righty work things out in the minors with no current openings in the MLB rotation.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Headed to Triple-A Iowa
Rotowire
Tseng was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
Tseng's usage was rather limited this spring, as he threw 4.2 innings over three games. In that time he gave up three runs on four hits and three walks. He'll look to get back on track with Iowa, where he threw to the tune of a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over nine starts (55 innings) last season.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Picks up first MLB win Thursday
Rotowire
Tseng (1-0) recorded his first MLB win in Thursday's game against the Cardinals. He tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one walk and striking out two.
After giving up five earned runs over three innings in his major-league debut Sept. 14, Tseng was much sharper in this one, as he didn't allow any hits in his three innings of work. The 22-year-old posted a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 55 innings with Triple-A Iowa this season, and he could fight for a spot at the back end of the rotation or in the bullpen to begin 2018.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Unlikely to pick up second start
Rotowire
The Cubs announced that Mike Montgomery will start their first game of the week Tuesday against the Rays, likely meaning Tseng will head to the bullpen, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Chicago purchased Tseng's contract from Triple-A Iowa and called upon him to start Sept. 14 against the Mets, with the right-hander getting roughed up for five runs over three innings in his major-league debut. That performance wasn't enough for manager Joe Maddon to justify giving Tseng a second turn in the rotation, so he'll give Montgomery another look as the fifth starter. Montgomery could join Tseng in the bullpen by the weekend, as the Cubs are seemingly on track to have Jake Arrieta (hamstring) available to start during the team's four-game series with the Brewers that kicks off Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Allows five runs in big-league debut
Rotowire
Tseng allowed five earned runs over three innings in his major-league debut Thursday. He gave up five hits, posted a 6:1 K:BB, and did not factor into the decision in the Cubs' victory over the Mets.
Tseng experienced a lot of success in 24 minor-league starts this year, but he showed Thursday he still has some work to do before finding the same success at the top level. His standing in the rotation will primarily depend on whether or not Jake Arrieta (hamstring) returns to action next week, but manager Joe Maddon may elect to go in another direction even if Arrieta needs more time.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Contract purchased ahead of Thursday's start
Rotowire
Tseng had his contract purchased from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.
Tseng will join the big club ahead of his major-league debut Thursday. The 22-year-old posted a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 55 innings with Iowa this season, prompting manager Joe Maddon to give him a shot in the Cubs' rotation while Mike Montgomery shifts back to the bullpen to offer some extra depth down the stretch. He isn't guaranteed any starts beyond Thursday, but that could change if he pitches well.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: To start Thursday in big-league debut
Rotowire
Tseng will start Thursday's game against the Mets, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
He will take Mike Montgomery's spot in the rotation, but it could just be a spot start, as the Cubs would likely go in a different direction if Tseng really gets rocked in his debut. Jake Arrieta (hamstring) could also be ready to return to the rotation the next time the Cubs need a fifth starter on Sept. 23 in Milwaukee. Tseng doesn't get the same level of prospect hype as some of the Cubs' other pitching prospects, but he notched a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 55 innings as a 22-year-old at Triple-A this year, so he has earned the look. His 17.7 percent strikeout rate with Iowa hints at a low ceiling, but he is certainly capable of pitching well enough to get the win opposite Seth Lugo.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Jen-Ho Tseng: Flying under the radar at Triple-A
Rotowire
Tseng, 22, has a 1.95 ERA and 32:9 K:BB in 37 innings since being promoted to Triple-A Iowa.
Tseng is having something of a breakout season in 2017. He has always had stellar control, but his strikeout rate has spiked this year. In addition, opposing batters are hitting just .234 against him. The 6-foot-1 southpaw should shoot up the organizational rankings for the Cubs, not only due to trades but also due to his performance. He could see the big leagues as early as next season.
