The Chicago Cubs have placed right-handed reliever Julian Merryweather on the injured list prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 32-year-old has struggled since returning from his long stint on the injured list a few weeks ago and his last appearance against the Miami Marlins certainly raised some red flags.
Merryweather, who had already missed 3+ months with a rib stress fracture in his back, is now sidelined because of tendonitis in his right knee. The right-hander has recorded a 6.60 ERA in 15 innings out of the bullpen this season after becoming a trusted reliever for the 2023 squad. The Cubs are calling up right-hander Keegan Thompson to take Merryweather’s spot in the bullpen.
Thompson, who began the season at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs, was fantastic when he was first called up in April, but he’s also dealt with a few trips to the IL that derailed his momentum with the big-league club. Thompson has a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings this year with the Cubs.
The righty was first placed on the injured list because of a viral illness in May and then after returning and pitching well in June Thompson was diagnosed with a rib fracture that kept him out of action for a month before beginning a rehab assignment. Thompson has a 0.98 ERA at Triple-A during the month of August, with 14 strikeouts to only 1 walk in 10 innings.
Those are some strong numbers, so fans shouldn’t be too discontent with the move, however, maybe some were expecting hard-throwing Daniel Palencia to come up if there was a roster move in the bullpen. Palencia, who has also missed time in 2024 because of injury, has been throwing some serious heat with Iowa since returning in late June.
The 24-year-old pitcher has struck out 15 batters while only walking a pair in 8.1 innings during the month of July at Triple-A.
He just seems like the type of arm that the Cubs should want to see at the major-league level, but maybe that’s a decision for September, when rosters expand.
As for Merryweather, maybe this IL stint marks the end of his season. It’s unfortunate, but it simply did not sound like he’s all the way healthy.
Via the Chicago Sun-Times.
‘‘The body goes through ups and downs, as well,’’ he told the Sun-Times on Monday. ‘‘I think [Sunday against the Marlins] it was a little bit of both: mechanics not feeling right, body not feeling 100% there. And just trying to get to the bottom of it, trying to figure out exactly which one we’re going to be working on more right now.’’
‘‘I was getting on a little bit of a momentum roll there,’’ he said. ‘‘And then it’s one of those things where I thought I was feeling better than my body actually was. There weren’t really any warning signs for not feeling great that day. It just wasn’t exactly my day, and that definitely was amplified with the velo being down, as well.’’
In 2023, Merryweather had a 3.38 ERA in 72 innings. The right-hander set a new career high in innings pitched and appearances (69) in the majors.
