Effross (0-1) took the loss and allowed two unearned runs on two hits in 1.1 innings in a 3-1 defeat Tuesday against the White Sox.
Effross was named the starter earlier in the day when Drew Smyly was placed on the bereavement list. He retired the side in order in the first but a throwing error led to two unearned runs in the second inning, putting him in line for the loss. The 28-year-old has demonstrated excellent control as a big leaguer, walking just two batters in 26 innings over the past two seasons. The Cubs have utilized him primarily in middle relief and he likely will stay in that role for the time being.
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Cubs' Scott Effross: Set for spot start
Rotowire
Effross will make spot start Tuesday against the White Sox in place of Drew Smyly, who was placed on the bereavement list, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Effross has exclusively pitched out of the bullpen thus far in his major-league career, posting a 2.92 ERA and 30:2 K:BB in 24.2 innings of relief over the last two years. He's never recorded more than six outs in a big-league appearance and was almost exclusively a reliever in the minors, so Tuesday's game will likely be a true bullpen day.
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Cubs' Scott Effross: Inside track on bullpen spot?
Rotowire
Effross is likely to be a member of the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Effross made his MLB debut last season and pitched in 14 games for Chicago. He performed pretty well, registering a 3.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 14.2 innings. Jonathan Holder, Ethan Roberts and Michael Rucker are a few of the other pitchers vying for bullpen spots in camp, though it seems like Effross has a leg up at this point.
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Cubs' Scott Effross: Takes loss in relief
Rotowire
Effross (2-1) was tagged with the loss Saturday against Milwaukee after allowing two runs on three hits across two-thirds of an inning, fanning one.
Effross was coming off two straight scoreless appearances but didn't have his best stuff in this one, giving up a solo shot to Manny Pina and an RBI single to Kolten Wong, and he was unable to keep the Cubs in the game down the stretch. This was his worst outing of the year, but he has been decent since getting promoted to the big-league roster, posting a 3.86 ERA with a 13:2 K:BB through 9.1 innings across eight appearances.
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Cubs' Scott Effross: Earns first win
Rotowire
Effross allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday versus Pittsburgh.
The 27-year-old was called upon for the ninth inning with the Cubs trailing by two, but he ended up with his first big-league win when they walked it off in the bottom of the frame. After allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning in his debut Aug. 29 versus the White Sox, Effross has delivered three scoreless innings in his last two appearances. He's still likely to see mainly low-leverage work.
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Cubs' Scott Effross: Selected by Cubs
Rotowire
The Cubs selected Effross' contract from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Effross has appeared in 23 games for Triple-A Iowa this season, posting a 3.64 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 42 innings. Having never pitched in the majors, the righty will likely be eased into things with low-leverage relief work, or perhaps a spot start if necessary.
