Chicago Cubs Make Roster Moves Ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers Finale

The Chicago Cubs had to move a reliever to the 15-day injured list and bring up a reliever from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Jun 21, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather (66) / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs made a move to their bullpen in advance of Sunday’s game with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs moved relief pitcher Julian Merryweather to the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain, according to The Athletic and other outlets. To take his place on the roster, Chicago called up Daniel Palencia from Triple-A Iowa.

The move is retroactive to Saturday.

Merryweather has been one of the Cubs’ most durable and reliable relievers since he arrived in Chicago before last season. He started this season with a 1.93 ERA in four appearances, striking out six and walking two in 4 1/3 innings.

Last season the right-hander went 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 69 games. He threw 72 innings, striking out 98 and walking 36. He had two saves and 17 holds last year.

For the three seasons prior to his Cubs tenure, Merryweather was with the Toronto Blue Jays in a relief role. He has a career record of 5-5 with a 4.24 ERA.

Palencia, also a right-hander, started the season at Triple-A but was with Chicago last year as he pitched in 27 games during his rookie season. He went 5-3 with a 4.45 ERA across 28 1/3 innings with two holds. He struck out 33 and walked 14.

Palencia was originally signed out of Venezuela.

The Cubs will leave after Sunday’s game for a three-city road trip that will start in San Diego on Monday. After three games with the Padres, Chicago will play three at the Seattle Mariners and three at the Arizona Diamondbacks.