Cubs reliever Julian Merryweather has been identified with a rib stress fracture in his again, supervisor Craig Counsell informed the crew’s beat (relayed by Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune). He’ll be shut down solely for a month earlier than going for additional analysis.
Merryweather’s absence from sport motion will final effectively past that preliminary four-week interval. Even when he’s cleared to renew baseball exercise in a month, he’ll must construct his arm again into sport form. Chicago already positioned Merryweather on the 15-day injured record over the weekend. They initially introduced the damage as a shoulder pressure, however additional testing evidently confirmed it was a again challenge. It wouldn’t be all that stunning if he ultimately winds up on the 60-day IL.
Accidents have been an sadly recurring theme for Merryweather, who has pitched like a top quality high-leverage arm when wholesome. He didn’t attain the majors with the Blue Jays till he was nearing his twenty ninth birthday, largely due to a 2018 Tommy John process. He debuted in 2020 however missed an excellent chunk of the next season attributable to a big indirect pressure. A 2022 belly pressure once more led to a notable absence, doubtless contributing to Toronto’s resolution to waive him the next offseason.
The Cubs claimed him, a transfer which paid off when Merryweather turned in a career-best ’23 marketing campaign. The righty averted the IL final yr and turned in a 3.38 ERA with a superb 32.3% strikeout share throughout 72 innings. He’d fanned six over 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball this yr earlier than happening the shelf.