The Cubs transferred Merryweather (ribs/back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
As a result of the move to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible to rejoin the Chicago bullpen until at least early June. The Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Colten Brewer from Triple-A Iowa to replace Merryweather on the 40-man roster. After being diagnosed last week with a stress fracture in his ribs and on the right side of his back, Merryweather isn't expected to resume throwing again for another three weeks.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Set to be shut down for four weeks
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Merryweather (ribs/back) underwent additional testing Monday and it was determined that he is dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, but manager Craig Counsell announced his updated injury status Monday, stating that the right hander will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Merryweather is now set to be on the shelf well past the minimum stay on the IL and in the meantime, Daniel Palencia will likely stick around the major-league bullpen.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Placed on IL
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Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Merryweather has seen the mound in four games this year, posting a 1.93 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 4.2 innings for the Cubs, and the injury likely occurred in his most recent outing Friday against the Dodgers, when he struck out three while recording a hold. Due to the fifth-year pitcher's injury hiatus, Chicago has brought up Daniel Palencia from Triple-A Iowa. Merryweather will be eligible to return before the end of April but has no official timeline for his return.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Earns first hold Friday
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Merryweather tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to earn a hold in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Merryweather helped bridge the gap to closer Adbert Alzolay after starter Kyle Hendricks only lasted four innings, and he picked up his first 2024 hold in the process. The righty had a solid 2023, logging a 3.38 ERA along with 17 holds and two saves across 72 innings while striking out 98. Merryweather could improve on those numbers in 2024 as a key reliever for the Cubs.
Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Could be in late-inning mix
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell doesn't plan to designate specific roles for Merryweather or any other reliever before the season, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Merryweather got off to a poor start for the Cubs last season but posted a 2.69 ERA and 84:33 K:BB over 60.1 innings from May on. He'll likely be behind Adbert Alzolay and Hector Neris in the bullpen hierarchy initially, but Merryweather has a chance to work his way into saves consideration.
Merryweather signed a $1.175 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
In his first season with the Cubs, Merryweather turned in the best year of his career with a 3.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 72 innings while picking up two saves and 17 holds. The 32-year-old earns a $438,000 raise in his first arbitration year, and he appears in position to continue serving in a setup role for Adbert Alzolay.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Shuts door Sunday
Rotowire
Merryweather worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and secure the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rockies. He struck out one.
Merryweather is now 2-for-3 in save opportunities this season, with both of his conversions coming in the last two weeks. The righty has apparently stepped in as Chicago's top option to close with Adbert Alzolay (forearm) out, and Mark Leiter has stayed in a setup role. Alzolay could return as soon as Tuesday, however, which would push Merryweather down the bullpen pecking order.
Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Records first save of 2023
Rotowire
Merryweather worked around a walk to pitch a clean ninth inning and record the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.
Regular closer Adbert Alzolay pitched each of the last two days, so the Cubs turned to Merryweather instead Sunday. The righty did the job, recording his first save since he earned two of them with the Blue Jays back in 2021. Merryweather has been a pleasant surprise this season with a 3.18 ERA and 90 strikeouts across 65 innings out of Chicago's bullpen after he posted a 6.75 ERA for Toronto last year.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Earns fourth win
Rotowire
Merryweather (4-0) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win Saturday against the Blue Jays. He walked one and struck out two.
Through his first five appearances of the season, Merryweather had an unsightly 12.71 ERA. Since then, the righty has managed a 2.31 ERA across 46 appearances (46.2 innings). The strong, consistent play has made Merryweather a reliable relief option who typically pitches in front of closer Adbert Alzolay.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Off to rough start
Rotowire
Merryweather, who allowed two runs in an inning of work during Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, now has a 12.71 ERA this season.
Merryweather started the season with a dud, allowing five earned runs in his first appearance, and he's been scored on in two of his four outings since then. The righty should remain in a low-leverage role, and that plus his poor performance to date are keeping his fantasy value to a minimum.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: May have inside track on MLB role
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Merryweather stands a decent chance of securing an Opening Day bullpen role with the Cubs, particularly because he's out of minor-league options, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Merryweather was claimed off waivers back in January, and he's now competing for a role with the Cubs in spring training. The righty struggled last season with a 6.75 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 26 games with the Blue Jays, so he'd likely slot in as a low-leverage option if he makes the team, putting him off the fantasy radar for the time being.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Scooped up by Cubs
Rotowire
The Cubs claimed Merryweather off waivers from the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Merryweather lost his spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster last week, when the team required a spot for the newly signed Brandon Belt. The right-hander struggled to a 6.75 ERA over 26.2 innings in 26 appearances last season while missing time with an oblique strain. He should battle for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen this spring.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Gets DFA'd by Blue Jays
Rotowire
Merryweather was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Merryweather has flashed plenty of upside at times out of the Blue Jays' bullpen, but he's ultimately had trouble with health and consistency with a career 5.64 ERA over parts of three seasons. The 31-year-old doesn't have any options left, which could affect his appeal on waivers.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Sent back to Buffalo
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Merryweather to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Since returning to the active roster Sept. 5 after a stint on the 60-day injured list due to an oblique strain, Merryweather turned in a 7.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 8.1 innings across his six appearances. The brunt of the damage came in Tuesday's 18-11 win in Philadelphia, where he recorded just two outs while surrendering five earned runs. The Blue Jays called up Foster Griffin from Triple-A to replace Merryweather in the bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Will open Game 1 of twin bill
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Merryweather will work as an opener in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Alek Manoah was scheduled to start Tuesday's opener, but for a yet-to-be-announced reason, Merryweather will get the ball instead. Merryweather almost certainly will not be out there long enough to qualify for a win, but he could work more than a lone frame, as he recorded at least five outs in both of his last two appearances out of the bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Comes off IL
Rotowire
Merryweather (oblique) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
Merryweather was sidelined since June 13 due to a left oblique strain and spent the last month in the minors on a rehab assignment. The right-hander gave up a run (zero earned) on three hits and five walks while striking out 15 in 10.2 innings over 10 rehab appearances and will be available out of the bullpen for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Merryweather (oblique) began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, striking out two over a scoreless inning in his first appearance.
Merryweather is on the comeback trail after he had been sidelined since June 13 with a left oblique strain. After being moved to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible for activation until the middle of August, so he'll likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before slotting back into the Toronto bullpen.
