Promised Reliever Named by the Chicago Cubs for Assignment
The Chicago Cubs had a noticeable hole in their bullpen going into the offseason after it broke late in the previous campaign. Due to injury-related lack of depth, the coaching staff was obliged to utilize the players who were available, which ultimately led to their exhaustion.
In order to add additional depth and be prepared to step into leading roles should those same concerns resurface in 2024, the front office needs to bring in some high-profile personnel. With two transactions—acquiring Yency Almonte from the Los Angeles Dodgers and signing Hector Neris, a former star reliever for the Houston Astros, to a one-year contract—they were able to achieve that goal.
Making room on the roster is necessary when players are added.
Following the signing of Neris, the Cubs had to designate their young reliever, Michael Rucker, for assignment, according to Bruce Levine of 670 the Score.
Chicago first chose Rucker in the eleventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft. The right-hander alternated between the minor league bullpen and a starting role. He was only utilized as a starter in 2018 and finished with a 3.73 ERA in 26 Double-A starts.
After that, the Cubs returned to using him as a full-time reliever until 2021, when he made his Major League debut. Rucker played in 41 games in 2022, recording 54 2/3 innings pitched with an ERA+ of 106 and a career-best 3.95 ERA, but he was still sent down to the minors. When he made 35 appearances last season and his ERA skyrocketed to 4.91, that trend persisted.
If no other team claims the 29-year-old in 2024, he might still be a valuable addition to Chicago’s bullpen, but he’ll probably start his career in the minors once more.
1 Comment
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing Excellent job