Cubs Roster News: Eddie Butler Activated, Luke Farrell Optioned to AAA

Photo of Corey Freedman Corey FreedmanJuly 24, 2018

The Cubs announced Tuesday that Eddie Butler has been activated from the 60-day DL and will make his return to the MLB roster. Butler has been on the disabled list with a right groin strain since April 20. After taking the loss in Monday’s game against the Diamondbacks, Luke Farrell has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Butler.

Prior to hitting the DL, Butler posted a 4.30 ERA in 14.2 innings of relief for the Cubs. Most notably, he threw seven innings against the Marlins on March 30, giving up just one earned run and taking a very undeserved loss. Butler made five rehab starts for the Iowa Cubs, posting an 8.10 ERA and giving up a .368 batting average against in 13.2 innings.

Through various stints with the Cubs this year, Farrell has put up a 5.17 ERA in 31.1 innings of work. He’s made two starts, including the loss on Monday night.

Regardless of the results in his rehab starts, it will be good to have Butler back in the fold. The weekend series with the Cardinals certainly took a toll on the Cubs bullpen, and I would imagine Joe Maddon doesn’t want to count on Anthony Rizzo to take the mound again.

Ed. note: Optioning Farrell accommodated Butler on the 25-man roster, but the Cubs had to make room on the 40-man also. There was nothing on MLB’s transactions page as of post time, though Rob Zastryzny was missing from the team’s 40-man listing.

Photo of Corey Freedman Corey FreedmanJuly 24, 2018
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