Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather (shoulder) has been activated off the 60-day injured list on Monday. The right-hander has missed 3 1/2 months of action due to a shoulder strain. When healthy, Merryweather has been a viable option for Chicago. Last season, Merryweather posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and nearly 100 strikeouts over 69 games. Given the Cubs struggles at closer right now, Merryweather could be a late game option for them. Fantasy managers should keep him on their watch list for now. In a corresponding move, right-hander Hunter Bigge has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Adbert Alzolay Beginning Rehab Assignment, Julian Merryweather Could Return Soon
Chicago Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay (forearm) has been cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Friday. Meanwhile, right-hander Julian Merryweather (rib) is planning to make his fourth minor-league rehab appearance on Friday for Triple-A Iowa. If all goes well, manager Craig Counsell said that Merryweather will be activated from the injured list by next weekend "at the latest." Alzolay obviously won't be back as soon as Merryweather, but he's making progress after suffering a right flexor strain in mid-May. Both relievers should return to high-leverage, late-inning bullpen roles in Chicago when they are activated, with Alzolay potentially taking over closing duties from Hector Neris.
Julian Merryweather To Make Rehab Outing On Friday
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather (shoulder) is scheduled to make another rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa on Friday. The right-hander has been sidelined for most of the season due to a lingering shoulder issue. The organization is hopeful that Merryweather can rejoin the bullpen after the All-Star break. Merryweather was a viable option out of the pen for the Cubs last season. He could be in the mix for saves with the closer situation a mess in Chicago right now.
Adbert Alzolay Throws Bullpen, Julian Merryweather Makes Rehab Appearance
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Adbert Alzolay (forearm) threw 30 pitches in his bullpen session on Tuesday and checked out well. Meanwhile, reliever Julian Merryweather (ribs) threw 11 pitches in an inning of work in a minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday night. Both pitchers are making progress but aren't going to be an option to return to Chicago's bullpen until after next week's All-Star break. Alzolay had a career-high 22 saves in 2023 but went 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA, four saves and a 1.44 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list with a flexor strain in mid-May. Merryweather made just four appearances for the Cubs before suffering a rib stress fracture. When they return, they could both be options for saves in Chicago, along with veteran Hector Neris.
Julian Merryweather, Mark Leiter Jr. To Be Activated Soon
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that relievers Julian Merryweather (ribs) and Mark Leiter Jr. (forearm) would be activated next week and rejoin the club. Counsell said that both Merryweather and Leiter threw live batting practice sessions on Saturday, which went well. Merryweather is scheduled to report to Single-A South Bend on Sunday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. It is believed he will be there for the coming week to work his way back into the mix and could rejoin the team next weekend. The team expects Leiter to return this week when the Cubs head out on the road for a series with the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals.
Chicago Cubs right-hander Julian Merryweather (ribs) threw live batting practice on Tuesday at Wrigley Field before the contest against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. It was the first time that Merryweather has faced live hitters after previously throwing two bullpen sessions as he recovers from a rib fracture. The 32-year-old right-handed reliever has already been ruled out to return before the All-Star break in mid-July, but he should return to a high-leverage role in the back of Chicago's bullpen early in the second half, barring a setback during his rehab. Merryweather went on the injured list way back on April 7. In just 4 2/3 innings before suffering his rib fracture, he gave up an earned run on four hits while walking two and fanning six.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-handed reliever Julian Merryweather (ribs, shoulder) will start throwing in Arizona on Monday. Merryweather still has a long ways to go to get up to speed, but it's a good sign that he's ready to resume throwing. The 32-year-old veteran was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his ribs in early April and is currently on the 60-day injured list, meaning he's not eligible to return until early June. Given the severity of his injury and the fact that he's starting his throwing program next week, Merryweather is unlikely to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible. The former fifth-round pick by Cleveland in 2014 out of Oklahoma Baptist has a 3.29 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, two saves and 104 K's in 76 2/3 relief innings for the Cubs the last two years and will be a useful high-leverage arm out of their bullpen when he's ready to come back.
The Chicago Cubs moved right-hander Julian Merryweather (back, ribs) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Colton Brewer, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs also recalled right-hander Hayden Wesneski from Iowa and optioned left-hander Luke Little and right-hander Daniel Palencia to Iowa. The 32-year-old Merryweather was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his ribs and in his back last week and he won't be eligible to return to the club until early June. He won't resume throwing for three weeks and may not be able to return to the Cubs' bullpen until closer to the All-Star break. Injuries continue to bother Merryweather in his MLB career.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather picked up his second save of the season on Sunday in a 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Merryweather struck out one and walked a pair but escaped unscathed. After Adbert Alzolay went on the IL, it appeared as though Merryweather was in line for some save opportunities. Unfortunately, the Cubs haven't won many close games recently and Merryweather only has a couple saves in his absence. With Alzolay likely coming off the IL Tuesday, it will be tough to decipher which Cubs reliever will be relied upon in save situations in the final week of the season.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather notched his first save of the season Sunday, securing a 5-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Merryweather allowed just a walk and struck out a pair in his inning of work. It should be noted that usual closer Adbert Alzolay was unavailable due to pitching back-to-back days prior to Sunday. Still, Merryweather has been very impressive in his time with the Cubs, and should Alzolay falter he is likely next up for save chances. Merryweather doesn't need to be rostered in many leagues, but an eye should be kept on the situation in Chicago down the stretch.
Julian Merryweather
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Cubs
