Cubs add more velocity to bullpen in reliever swap
The roster moves keep pouring in for the Cubs as they try to solve their pitching puzzle for the weekend.
With Saturday’s doubleheader, the Cubs are playing 4 games in 3 days to close out the first half of the season before the All-Star Break begins on Monday.
We’ve already seen Javier Assad come off the IL and reliever Ethan Roberts was involved in a pair of roster moves before each game of the doubleheader.
Prior to Game 1, it was Roberts who got the call from Triple-A Iowa after left-handed reliever Luke Little landed on the IL with a left shoulder injury.
Before Game 2, Roberts saw himself headed back to Iowa and right-handed flamethrower Daniel Palencia was recalled.
Roberts threw 2 scoreless innings in Game 1, striking out 3 and allowing 2 hits. He has not allowing a run in 6 MLB innings this season.
Palencia, 24, is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the Cubs system, routinely dialing it up to the upper 90s and approaching 100 mph with his fastball.
He spent a few weeks in the big-league bullpen earlier this season, posting a 6.55 ERA in and 1.73 WHIP in 7 games (11 innings).
He dealt with a shoulder injury and missed time and was optioned to Triple-A after his rehab stint was completed. Over his last 7 appearances with Iowa, he carries a 3.60 ERA with 6 strikeouts in 5 innings.
Palencia adds a fresh arm to the Cubs bullpen over the final couple games of the first half.
Shortly after the All-Star Break, the Cubs are anticipating adding veteran Julian Merryweather back into the bullpen after more than 3 months on the IL with a rib injury.