Julian Merryweather's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.