The Chicago Cubs roster has yet to be fully healthy in 2024. If it hasn\u2019t been injuries to key starting pitchers, it\u2019s been the bullpen that has suffered from seemingly nonstop injury list stints. But now the Cubs can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel,\u00a0 as they are close to getting key members of their pitching staff back. This comes just as they have finally started to play some of their best baseball of the season.<\/p>\n
The Cubs have been on the fence on whether they\u2019ll buy or sell as the July 30 trade deadline<\/a> looms. A week ago, they were looking like surefire sellers, and they still may be. But after a series win against the Los Angeles Angels, the Cubs have already clinched a series win against the first-place Baltimore Orioles after winning the first two games of the series. It\u2019s\u00a0how\u00a0<\/em>they have won that has fans thinking differently about this Cubs roster. Solid pitching and timely hitting, two things that have failed to coincide for the Cubs this season, have highlighted this stretch of good baseball.<\/p>\n The starting pitching remains solid, even with key starters<\/a> Jordan Wicks<\/a> and Javier Assad<\/a> on the IL. Even the bullpen has been better as of late. Much of that has to do with a trio of rookies anchoring a bullpen that has struggled for most of the season. Left-hander Luke Little<\/a>, right-hander Porter Hodge<\/a>, and right-hander Hunter Bigge<\/a>, who was just called up<\/a> a week ago, have been excellent so far for the Cubs. Bigge only has one inning of work so far, but it was electric nonetheless. He is expected to remain on the Cubs roster going forward.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s where it gets interesting. Hard-throwing right-hander Julian Merryweather<\/a> is getting close to returning to the bullpen. Merryweather went on the IL<\/a> on April 7 with a rib stress fracture. He began a rehab assignment Tuesday night with Triple-A Iowa and looked good, striking out a pair in an 11-pitch inning. Merryweather had a 1.93 ERA in 4 2\/3 innings pitched before going on the IL. His return to the bullpen will add much-needed depth and another dependable arm in high-leverage situations. Pair that with the fact that the Cubs just activated reliever Mark Leiter Jr.<\/a> from the 15-day IL, and the bullpen is starting to look a lot better than it has been this season.<\/p>\n RHP Julian Merryweather was sharp for the @IowaCubs<\/a> in his first MLB rehab outing tonight.<\/p>\n Perfect 11-pitch inning with a pair of strikeouts.<\/p>\n Velocity sat 95-96, topping out at 96.7 mph.<\/p>\n \u2014 Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen2) July 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nCubs Roster Starting to Get Healthy<\/h3>\n
Merryweather Nearing Return<\/h3>\n
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