Indianapolis - The Chicago Cubs today selected right-handed pitcher Michael Parisi from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Major League portion (first round, 12th overall) of the Rule 5 Draft.
Parisi, 26, is 40-39 with a 4.27 ERA (309 ER/651.0 IP) in 115 career minor league starts in the Cardinals' chain. He was originally selected by St. Louis in the ninth round of the 2004 June Draft out of Manhattan College in New York, New York.
In 2009, the six-foot-three, 215-pounder went 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA (8 ER/15.1 IP) in five starts between the Rookie-League Cardinals and Single-A Palm Beach. He was sidelined most of the season, while recovering from "Tommy John" surgery, which was performed August 20, 2008. He also pitched for the Surprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
In 2008, Parisi made his major league debut May 5 at Colorado, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings. He posted an 8.22 ERA (21 ER/23.0 IP) in 12 appearances (two starts) in two stints with the Cardinals. He spent a majority of the season with Triple-A Memphis, posting an 8-2 mark with a 3.86 ERA (36 ER/84.0 IP) in 15 starts.
Chicago's 40-man roster now stands at 38 players.
