NEWSLETTER
In discussing the potential for a Cubs move today for a fresh arm, I wondered if they’d go down and grab someone already on the 40-man roster or if they’d shift Julian Merryweather over to the 60-day IL to make room for someone NOT on the 40-man. Turns out, they did both!
Hayden Wesneski (on the 40-man) and Colten Brewer (not on the 40-man) are coming up to the Chicago Cubs to help backfill a tired and struggling bullpen. They’ll be taking the place of Luke Little and Daniel Palencia on the active roster, with Brewer taking Merryweather’s spot on the 40-man.
You already know Wesneski, what he can do (dominate with his sweeper for multiple innings) and against whom he struggles (lefties mostly). But note also that he’s been stretched out as a starter this year and hasn’t thrown since April 12, so he should be plenty stretched out and ready to cover multiple innings as soon as today. Jordan Wicks hasn’t been particularly efficient this season and Jameson Taillon should debut tomorrow. So one way or another, Wesneski should appear within the next two games.
Brewer, by contrast, is new to the org, having signed with the Cubs over the offseason after spending last year with the Yankees. He’s made six relief appearances in Iowa so far this season, going scoreless in five with a total of one earned run over 7.2 IP. I’m not super familiar with Brewer, but he has big league experience and has been pitching well so far this season. He hasn’t thrown in four days, so he’s also a very fresh arm.
On the other side, it’s not like either Daniel Palencia or Luke Little deserved to be demoted — both obviously have big league caliber stuff and potential — but they have minor league options and they’re simply going to be used. And since Palencia pitched yesterday and Little pitched each of the last two days, they’re the odd men out.
They’ll be back. Both of them. And probably soon. But the Cubs needed fresh arms and here we are.
