There has been no official confirmation of this as of posting time, but a newspaper in the city where the Iowa Cubs played last night — Memphis — reports that the Cubs are recalling Mitch Atkins today:
↵↵↵It was just over an hour before Friday night’s game when the Redbirds learned Iowa would not be throwing pitcher Mitch Atkins against them.
↵The Chicago Cubs called their 24-year-old right-hander up to the big leagues after the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week had gone 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA.
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No word on whether this is official, nor who would be sent to Iowa in Atkins’ place, although it could be James Russell, who faced four batters Friday and didn’t retire any of them.
↵UPDATE: via tweet from cubs.com writer Carrie Muskat, this is apparently official:
↵Expect a new face in #Cubs bullpen Sat -- Mitch Atkins to join team↵
UPDATE: via tweet from Sun-Times beat writer Gordon Wittenmyer, LHP James Russell has been optioned to (presumably) Triple A Iowa to make room for Mitch Atkins on the Cubs 25-man roster. Atkins, however, is having some transportation issues.