July 4, 2008 Reliever Jose Ascanio has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, according to the AP. Carlos Zambrano has been activated from the DL, and Ascanio was viewed as expendable to make room on the roster.
June 7, 2008 Manager Lou Piniella mentioned that he is considering recalling reliever Jose Ascanio from Triple-A Iowa, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
May 20, 2008 Right-handed hurler Jose Ascanio will be the next minor league pitching prospect to join the Cubs' big league club, according to Scout.com. The team is expected to recall him from Triple-A, and place righty Chad Fox on the DL with his elbow injury. Cubs' assistant GM Randy Bush said, "He was a guy we were real excited to acquire. Were excited about his future and we see him as an eighth or ninth inning guy in Chicago."
February 24, 2008 Jose Ascanio had a swollen face and left eye after someone attempted to rob him outside a convenience store Saturday night, according to MLB.com. "He didn't get robbed," manager Lou Piniella said. "The guy asked for money, and the young man said, 'I don't have any money,' and the guy punched him a few times. [Ascanio] went over to the hospital. His eye was closed and he had some swelling on the left side of his face." Ascanio, who was acquired by the Cubs from the Braves in December, is day-to-day.
December 4, 2007 The Cubs acquired Jose Ascanio from the Braves Tuesday in exchange for utilityman Omar Infante and reliever Will Ohman. Ascanio held a 5.06 ERA over 16 innings with the Braves in '07. He should compete for a bullpen spot with the Cubbies.
