The Cubs made a few roster moves ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Marlins. First, Ian Happ is back from the injured list. Happ is expected to return to the leadoff role. Prospect Moises Ballesteros has been optioned to Triple-A. Meanwhile, Porter Hodge is on the 15-day injured list and taking his place in the bullpen is Ethan Roberts.
The filthy reliever has been a stud with the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A this season, so Roberts is more than deserving getting the call up. This will be Roberts’ second stint in the majors with the Cubs this year.
Roberts, 27, has been dominant at Triple-A, striking out 18 batters in 10.2 innings this year. The righty has recorded a 1.69 ERA, holding batters to a .195 batting average in nine games.
In his first stint with the Cubs earlier this season Roberts posted a 1.42 ERA through his first eight relief outings.
Unfortunately, Roberts wasn’t good in his last appearance against the Phillies on April 26, when he gave up four earned runs in two innings of work. He was optioned to Triple-A the next day.
Roberts made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2022, making the Opening Day roster. The right-handed pitcher appeared in nine games before blowing out his arm and missed all of 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In 2024, Roberts began his comeback and had a decent season, ending the year with a 3.71 ERA in 26.2 innings.
We’ll see how long Roberts stays up this time around. There was some speculation that veteran reliever Ryan Brasier would be the pitcher replacing Hodge in the bullpen today. Brasier, 37, is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A and has pitched well for the Iowa Cubs.
Brasier has been sidelined since March because of strain in his left groin. So far in five outings at Triple-A, Brasier has given up one run in five innings, with five strikeouts and a walk.
So, the Cubs will have to figure out who will be closing out games now that Hodge will be out for a while. Craig Counsell may end up going back to veteran Ryan Pressly.
