The Cubs reinstated Roberts (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Roberts had been shelved since June 29 due to forearm inflammation but is back to full health after completing a six-appearance rehab assignment at Triple-A. The Cubs don't have a spot available for the right-hander in the big-league bullpen, so he'll stick around at Iowa for now.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Tosses clean inning in rehab outing
Rotowire
Roberts (forearm) tossed a perfect inning in a rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Iowa.
Roberts needed just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side in what was his first game action at any level since June 28. Cubs manager Craig Counsell hasn't provided word on the next steps for Roberts, but the right-hander may not need any further rehab appearances before returning from the 15-day injured list. MLB.com currently lists Roberts as its probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Tigers, though if he's activated for that contest, he would likely work just an inning or two before David Peterson takes over in bulk relief.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Completes side session
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said July 8 that Roberts (forearm) completed a bullpen session, MLB.com reports.
Roberts had been scheduled to throw off a mound a second time prior to the All-Star break, though it's unclear if that came to pass. The right-hander has been on the shelf since June 29 due to forearm inflammation and will eventually need to complete a rehab assignment before returning from the 15-day injured list.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) moving to the injured list Tuesday, Roberts will come up from Triple-A to give the Cubs some extra bullpen depth. The 28-year-old righty has performed well in the majors this season, posting a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 18.1 innings with Chicago.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Relegated to Iowa
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Roberts owns an impressive 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 18.1 innings on the year, but he's given up four runs (three earned) over his last three outings and will now return to Triple-A to get back on track. Javier Assad was recalled from Iowa to fill the open bullpen spot.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Allows first run Monday
Rotowire
Roberts allowed a run on three hits and a walk across 1.2 innings of relief in Monday's 9-3 loss to the Brewers.
Roberts got the call early with Shota Imanaga getting shelled for eight runs in only 4.1 innings of work. The former slowed down Milwaukee a bit, though he did allow his first run of the season in the process. Roberts is still sitting with a stellar 0.96 ERA in 9.1 innings across seven appearances this year, and he might need to take on a larger bullpen role moving forward with Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Riley Martin (elbow) both on the 15-day injured list, and Hunter Harvey (triceps) on the 60-day injured list.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Returns from IL
Rotowire
The Cubs reinstated Roberts (finger) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
The right-hander has been on the shelf nearly a month due to a right middle finger laceration, but he's ready to rejoin the Cubs after a five-outing rehab assignment. Roberts has made just three appearances in the majors this year and has pitched 2.2 scoreless frames.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Closing in on return
Rotowire
Roberts (finger) made the fifth appearance of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa, striking out one batter while allowing one hit and two walks over a scoreless inning.
Roberts was placed on the 15-day injured list April 14 due to a right middle finger laceration but was cleared to head out on a rehab assignment a week and a half later. Through his five appearances, Roberts has permitted one run while posting a 5:4 K:BB across five innings. He could be a candidate to return from the IL this weekend during the Cubs' three-game series versus the Rangers.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Goes on 15-day IL
Rotowire
The Cubs placed Roberts on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with an undisclosed injury.
It's unclear what injury Roberts is dealing with, but it will cost him at least the next couple weeks of action. The right-hander has made three scoreless appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen this season.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Sent to minors
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
He's being replaced on the active roster by Ben Brown, who was recalled from Iowa. Roberts made one appearance for the Cubs after being called up earlier this month, allowing one run while recording two outs.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Returned to Iowa
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.
Roberts joined the big-league club Tuesday after Porter Hodge (oblique) was put on the injured list. However, he'll head back to Triple-A now that Ryan Brasier (groin) is healthy. Roberts didn't appear in a game during his stint in Chicago.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.
Roberts was recalled by the Cubs from Triple-A on April 9 and allowed just one run over his first 6.1 innings in the majors. However, the 27-year-old right-hander struggled in his last outing against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk over two innings. Tom Cosgrove was recalled by the Cubs from Iowa to provide a fresh bullpen arm.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Summoned from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
He'll be joining the big club as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for left-hander Justin Steele (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Roberts will likely work in middle relief for Chicago after getting off to a strong start to the season at Iowa, with whom he struck out seven batters while walking none over three scoreless innings between his two appearances.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Pitches well in relief Tuesday
Rotowire
Roberts tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Pirates. He allowed one hit and struck out three.
Roberts was pulled from an appearance last week due to right ankle soreness, but he's now logged two scoreless outings since then. The righty is pitching in a low-leverage role for the Cubs and has mostly looked sharp with a 2.60 ERA and 17 strikeouts across 17.1 innings. Roberts still has a high 1.62 WHIP, however, due largely to the seven walks he's issued during his brief time in the majors this season. The 27-year-old will likely be a volatile option unless he starts to exhibit better command.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Nursing ankle injury
Rotowire
Roberts was lifted from Wednesday's appearance against the Pirates in the fourth inning due to right ankle soreness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Consider the reliever day-to-day for the time being. Roberts was charged with two runs over 1.1 innings in the appearance before being pulled.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Back in majors
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The Cubs traded Mark Leiter to the Yankees on Tuesday, so Roberts will now come up from the minors to fill the open spot in Chicago's bullpen. The 27-year-old hasn't allowed a run in six MLB innings this season, though he has surrendered three earned runs in three frames since returning to Triple-A earlier this month.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Sent back to Iowa
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Roberts threw two scoreless innings and struck out three batters during a loss to the Cardinals in Game 1 of Saturday's twin bill, and he'll now be sent back to the minors between games. Daniel Palencia was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Optioned to Iowa
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for Mark Leiter (forearm), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Roberts made three appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen since being called up from Iowa on June 28, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings. Roberts hasn't allowed an earned run over 13.1 innings in Triple-A this season, and the 27-year-old right-hander should be in line for another call-up this season should the Cubs need help out of their bullpen.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Contract selected, sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs selected Roberts' contract Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Roberts was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster Sunday, replacing Jose Cuas, who was designated for assignment. The right-handed Roberts has pitched 9.2 scoreless innings while striking out 13 batters over 10 appearances with Iowa this season and could be on the cusp of joining the major-league roster.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Cleared to face hitters
Rotowire
Roberts (elbow) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Roberts has finally received the green light to face hitters for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery July 13 of last year. He'll likely throw multiple live batting practice sessions before eventually heading out on an extended rehab assignment that will likely last close to the maximum 30 days. Barring any setbacks, Roberts still has a chance to make his return from the 60-day injured list before season's end, though the Cubs will most likely option him to Triple-A Iowa once he's activated.
