McAvene (elbow) has compiled a 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB in nine innings over seven appearances for High-A South Bend since being activated from the 7-day injured list June 14.
He missed the first two months of the season while recovering from the Tommy John surgery he required at some point in 2020. The Cubs appear to have committed to developing the 24-year-old right-hander as a reliever.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael McAvene: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
McAvene (elbow) was sent to the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Saturday to begin a rehab assignment.
McAvene is nearing the finish line in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last summer but will still likely need a few more weeks' worth of rehab games in Arizona before reporting to High-A South Bend. He's resided on South Bend's 7-day injured list all season.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Michael McAvene: Recovering from Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
McAvene had Tommy John surgery and will be out until the middle of the 2022 season, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.
It's unclear when he underwent the procedure, but it was likely sometime this winter or early spring, given the recovery timeline. McAvene had a chance to distinguish himself as one of the Cubs' top pitching prospects this season, but he will be nearing his 25th birthday when he is able to return next season and has yet to pitch in a full-season league.