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Cubs’ Nate Pearson: Returned to Triple-A
Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
Pearson was promoted from Triple-A on Tuesday and delivered four scoreless innings over two appearances, but it won’t be enough to keep his spot on the big-league roster heading into a three-game series against Toronto. The Cubs have yet to announce a corresponding move.
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Cubs’ Michael Busch: Off to slow start in August
Across nine games this month, Busch is slashing just .133/.161/.267 with a 32 percent strikeout rate.
Outside of a nice game Saturday where Busch went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run, the first baseman has gone just 2-for-25 with nine strikeouts in August. Busch’s overall slash line is a much healthier .263/.348/.500, and the 27-year-old should receive ample opportunities to turn things around as Chicago’s primary leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching. He has a robust .921 OPS against righties this season.
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Cubs’ Ben Brown: Picking up start Tuesday
Brown is slated to start Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Brown was moved to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired Michael Soroka ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, but Brown will temporarily move back into the rotation after Soroka strained his right shoulder in his team debut during last Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Reds and landed on the injured list. In that same game, Brown came on in long relief and struck out five over four innings, so he should be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter’s workload Tuesday. Brown may be in line for just one turn through the rotation, as Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) are both in the midst of rehab assignments and could be ready to return from the IL the next time a fifth starter is needed.
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Cubs’ Brad Keller: Extends scoreless streak
Keller, who logged 1.1 scoreless innings in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, has now recorded eight straight scoreless appearances.
Across those eight appearances, Keller has covered 9.1 innings and struck out 11 batters while allowing just one hit and two walks. It’s been a great stretch for the veteran righty, who has been solid all season with a 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 across 51.1 innings out of the Chicago bullpen. Keller is firmly entrenched as one of the Cubs‘ top setup options ahead of closer Daniel Palencia.