Cubs Activate RHP Julian Merryweather from 60-Day IL

The Chicago Cubs are looking to shake off a disappointing series against the Arizona Diamondbacks as they open a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night at Wrigley Field. Prior to the start of the three-game set, the Cubs return one of their best bullpen arms from the injured list. Per the team, RHP Julian Merryweather has been activated off the 60-day IL.

In order to clear space for Merryweather, LHP Luke Little was transferred to the 60-day IL, clearing a space on the 40-man roster. In addition, RHP Hunter Bigge was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to clear space on the active roster.

Merryweather has been out since early April thanks to a shoulder issue . As a result, the Cubs were without one of their best bullpen arms from 2023. During the 2023 campaign, Merryweather pitched to a 3.38 ERA in 72.0 innings of work. The righty was also 5-1 on the season with 17 holds and two saves. The Cubs' setup man fanned 98 batters over 69 games.

Merryweather was off to an equally as impressive start in 2024. Before the injury, Merryweather made four appearances, spanning 4.2 innings. Although it was a small sample size, one hold and a 1.93 ERA is quite good. Ideally, Merryweather will pick up where he left off and continue to bolster a bullpen that has really turned a corner as baseball's best since June 27 .

Luke Little will sadly miss the rest of the regular season , so moving him to the 60-day IL was the easy choice. For Bigge, the righty has been respectable in limited action with the Cubs, posting a 2.70 ERA in four appearances.

The Cubs and Brewers will kick things off at 7:05 p.m. CDT from Wrigley Field on Monday. RHP Javier Assad takes the bump for the Cubs while RHP Tobias Myers will throw for the visiting Brewers.

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