Dale Sveum has been impressed with what he’s seen from young lefthanders Chris Rusin and Brooks Raley of late. Both rookies turned in solid efforts and will likely be given a chance to keep proving themselves during the final month of the season.
Raley pitched five innings, giving up five hits and two runs in a 4-3 loss on Saturday. He has been solid in three of four starts and is 1-2 with a 6.64 ERA. Rusin made his major-league debut against the Brewers at Miller Park on Tuesday, allowing only an infield single in five innings. He also tripled in his first at-bat.
Although he was optioned to Class AAA Iowa before Saturday’s game, it’s likely Rusin will be recalled and get several more starts as the season winds down. With only Jeff Samardzija and Matt Garza locks for the rotation heading into spring training, Sveum wants to look at as many pitchers as possible.
“They have been put in a situation where they have had to come up here and perform and they have done a nice job,” Sveum said. “The bottom line with guys like that is they have to learn to get through a lineup the second time a team faces them and to make the adjustments after major-league hitters have seen you a couple times. But they’ve done a good job. They are poised and their mound presence is good. They have not been deer in headlights by no means. They’ve done a good job on the mound.”
