Jefferson Rojas, shortstop for the South Bend Cubs, has been named the Midwest League Player of the Month for May. The 20-year-old posted impressive stats, hitting .337/.416/.561 with five doubles, four triples, and three home runs. He also swiped five bases, continuing to showcase his all-around offensive skills.
Cubs Roster Moves
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The Cubs signed right-hander Jake Woodford and assigned him to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Woodford requested his release from the Yankees earlier this month. Previously, Woodford pitched for the Cardinals (2020-2023) and had stints with the White Sox and Pirates last year.
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Right-hander Brooks Kriske cleared waivers and reported to Iowa.
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Iowa’s Frankie Scalzo Jr. was placed on the Developmental List, while Gavin Hollowell was moved to the 7-day injured list.
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Matthew Peters was sent down to the ACL Cubs from Low-A Myrtle Beach. Meanwhile, promising right-hander Jostin Florentino is expected to make his full-season debut soon with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Iowa Cubs (Triple-A)
The Iowa Cubs defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) 8-5.
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Will Sanders improved to 2-0 in Triple-A, pitching six innings and allowing four runs on seven hits, one of which was unearned. He walked one and struck out three.
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Luke Little earned the save by retiring all four batters he faced and striking out three.
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Designated hitter Carlos Pérez powered a six-run fourth inning with a grand slam, his ninth homer of the season. Pérez finished 1-for-4.
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First baseman Jonathon Long went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBIs, and a run scored. His .357 batting average now leads the International League.
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Shortstop Dixon Machado was a perfect 2-for-2 with a double and three walks, scoring twice.
Knoxville Smokies (High-A)
The Knoxville Smokies fell 3-0 to the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds).
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Starter Chris Kachmar pitched well but suffered a tough-luck loss, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
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The Smokies managed only two hits, with catcher Pablo Aliendo going 1-for-3 with a double and right fielder Jaylen Palmer also recording a hit.
South Bend Cubs (High-A)
South Bend split a doubleheader against the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers).
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Game 1: South Bend won 6-5 in walk-off fashion. Tyler Schlaffer started and allowed just one run over five innings, striking out five. However, reliever Vince Reilly struggled, walking three batters and surrendering a game-tying grand slam. Evan Taylor came on to earn the win, pitching two scoreless innings.
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Carter Trice led the offense, hitting a leadoff homer (his fifth) and stealing two bases. He scored three runs.
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Jefferson Rojas contributed with two walks and two sacrifice flies, scoring once.
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Game 2: South Bend was no-hit in a 3-0 loss. Eriq Swan (6 innings) and Roque Gutierrez (1 inning) combined on the no-hitter, while South Bend starter Evan Aschenbeck pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low-A)
The Pelicans were heavily defeated by the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 12-1.
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Starter Kevin Valdez struggled, giving up seven runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings while walking four and striking out three.
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Third baseman Eriandys Ramon and center fielder Leonel Espinoza each went 2-for-4, with Ramon recording a double.
ACL Cubs
The ACL Cubs trailed the Giants 7-2 in the top of the eighth inning.
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Rookie Ethan Flanagan, the Cubs’ 17th-round pick in 2023, made his professional debut, allowing three runs in three innings. He struck out six and walked just one, a solid start to his career at this level.
