Rucker could be squeezed out of the MLB bullpen to begin the regular season, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.
With veteran relievers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer signed by the Cubs in the offseason, as well as Tyler Duffey on a minor-league deal, Rucker could get squeezed from the Opening Day bullpen and start the year with Triple-A Iowa. Rucker did pitch reasonably well in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 54.2 innings for Chicago, so he could certainly get extended run in the majors at some point in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Earns another win in relief
Rotowire
Rucker (3-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He didn't allow a hit or a walk, and struck out one.
Rucker now has three victories in his past seven appearances after having no wins across his first 39 games at the MLB level dating back to last season. That shows the volatility of relief pitching, though Rucker has also taken on a more prominent bullpen role for the Cubs with Scott Effross, Mychal Givens and David Robertson all getting traded before the deadline. Rucker should continue to appear in high-leverage spots, though his value will be capped unless he challenges Rowan Wick and Brandon Hughes for save opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Earns first MLB win
Rotowire
Rucker (1-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief and earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals.
The Cubs trailed 2-0 after six innings before Rucker fired a scoreless top of the seventh and Chicago rallied for four runs in bottom half of the frame. The Cubs held on for the 4-2 win, giving the righty his first career MLB win. Rucker appeared in 20 games last season for Chicago and has now appeared in 20 games this year, mostly working in a middle-relief role with limited fantasy appeal.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
Rucker was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.
After spending a month with Iowa, Rucker will return to Chicago for another stint with the big club. He figures to work in middle-to-long relief like he did last time he was in town.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Moves down to minors
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Rucker to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.
With the Cubs needing to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Sunday's starter Drew Smyly (oblique) to return from the 15-day injured list, Rucker was deemed an expendable piece. During his one-week stint with the big club, Rucker logged three appearances out of the bullpen and gave up two earned runs on four hits and no walks over 4.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Returns to big leagues
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Rucker from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
He'll be joining the big club as a replacement for Alec Mills (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list just seven pitches into his start in Saturday's win over the Red Sox. Since Mark Leiter came on in long relief and covered 5.1 innings out of the bullpen, he likely won't be available for at least a few days, so Rucker should provide a fresh arm in the interim. Over his previous 12 outings this season with the Cubs spanning 19.2 innings, Rucker posted a 5.49 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Heading to Triple-A
Rotowire
Rucker was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Rucker allowed four runs (three earned) without recording an out his last time on the mound June 4, and he'll now make his way back to the minors. Chris Martin (personal) was reinstated from the restricted list in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Rucker (toe) began a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, striking out one over a scoreless inning while working around a hit and a walk.
Rucker has been on the shelf since May 19 due to a bout with turf toe, but he looks on track to return when he's first eligible or shortly thereafter. It's unclear if the Cubs plan on having him make another tune-up appearance in the minors prior to being activated.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Advancing through throwing program
Rotowire
Cubs manager David Ross said Tuesday that Rucker (toe) is progressing through a throwing program, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Rucker was placed on the 15-day injured list last Thursday after he was diagnosed with turf toe, but his ability to resume throwing a few days after being deactivated suggests that he'll be inactive for only a brief period of time. Prior to landing on the shelf, the 28-year-old righty worked 15 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen and submitted a 4.20 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
Rucker was placed on the 15-day injured list due to turf toe Thursday, retroactive to May 17, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Rucker has made eight relief appearances for the Cubs this year, and he's posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 15 innings. The right-hander will be sidelined until at least early June due to his toe injury, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return once he's first eligible.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Likely to make roster
Rotowire
Rucker seems likely to secure an Opening Day bullpen spot with the Cubs, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Rucker appeared in 20 games with the Cubs last season, and although he posted an inflated 6.99 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, his 30 strikeouts across 28.1 innings does show some promise. The righty is unlikely to be a high-leverage arm, but he can give Chicago multiple innings out of the bullpen and may snag a few cheap wins here and there.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Picks up first MLB save
Rotowire
Rucker retired the final batter of the game to earn the save in Sunday's win over the Brewers.
Rucker needed to throw only two pitches to record his first career MLB save, though it certainly wasn't stress-free, as he entered the game with the bases loaded and the Cubs holding a 6-4 lead. Rucker got the nod due to the struggles of Rowan Wick, who allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while retiring just two batters. Wick should still be the Chicago's primary closer moving forward, though it's encouraging that Rucker was trusted in a high-pressure situation.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Allows six runs Monday
Rotowire
Rucker allowed six runs on four hits across two innings of relief in Monday's loss to the Reds. He walked two and struck out four.
The four strikeouts are about the only silver lining for Rucker, who was otherwise hit hard by Cincinnati in a 14-5 romp for the Reds. The 27-year-old has struggled with a 9.26 ERA across 11.2 innings of work since getting the call to the majors at the end of July, and he's only a low-leverage option for the Cubs at this point.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael Rucker: Returns to Cubs
Rotowire
Rucker was returned to the Cubs by the Orioles on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Rucker was the 11th pick of the Rule 5 draft in December, but the Orioles elected not to carry him on the major-league roster after a couple weeks of spring training. The 25-year-old finished 2019 at Triple-A Iowa, but he spent most of the season at Double-A Tennessee and had a 4.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 89:22 K:BB over 75.2 frames.
