The Cubs today swapped out arms in their bullpen, with Adam Morgan returning from the bereavement list, and Manny Rodriguez going on the IL.
Cubs moves…
• LHP Adam Morgan reinstated from MLB’s bereavement list
• RHP Manny RodrÃguez (R. shoulder inflammation) to 10-day IL— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 17, 2021
Morgan, as previously discussed, has been solid for the Cubs this year after fully recovering from his late-2020 shoulder surgery, and is more or less the same good reliever he was for the Phillies before that injury. What happens for him after the season remains to be seen – he is scheduled to be a free agent and may parlay this year’s recovery into a bigger deal than the Cubs are willing to give – but a good run to finish the year will certainly help him out.
Rodriguez, 25, has been getting his first taste of the big leagues this year, and while he’s shown clear big league ability, there’s definitely work to be done. How the shoulder inflammation factors into things is an open question (new injury? something lingering that was impacting performance?), but sometimes that’s the designation for pitchers who are having some general wear and tear and need a break. I’m hopeful that’s all it is, because otherwise shoulder stuff makes you nervous.
I’m not sure if Rodriguez will return to the Cubs this year, but if not, he figures to head into Spring Training with a chance to win an Opening Day spot in the bullpen. Otherwise, he could be an up-down guy next year.