Prior to the Cubs Saturday game against the Reds, Chicago announced that they were moving on from a pitcher due to performance reasons. After the game, the team revealed a second set back, this time with losing a position player due to injury.
The Chicago Cubs DFA’d Julian Merryweather
33 year old right-handed reliever Julian Merryweather has been with the organization since 2023. That year, he was a work horse, appearing in 69 games, throwing 72.0 innings, and having a 3.38 ERA with 17 holds. Shoulder and ankle issues sidelined him for much of 2024, and he has struggled this year.
Through 18.2 innings pitched, Merryweather has allowed 12 earned runs while waking 11 batters and having a 1.82 WHIP. Sporting a 5.79 ERA, Chicago elected to DFA Merryweather. Their corresponding move was adding Brooks Kirske to the 40-man roster.
Catcher Miguel Amaya is heading to the injured list
During Saturday’s game, Miguel Amaya injured his oblique on a throw to second base. Amaya said after the game, “I felt discomfort. I tried to throw again and sadly couldn’t keep in the game. It’s sad I am going to be out, I don’t know how long. We will wait for the results and see what is going on in there.”
Manager Craig Counsell indicated this will require a trip to the injured list and further testing will take place early next week. Carson Kelly, who has been fantastic this year, will likely see a bump in playing time with Amaya out, but the team may also call up Moisés Ballesteros or Reese McGuire in Amaya’s absence.
It will be worth monitoring how severe Amaya’s oblique injury is. Prior to this, he had a 134 OPS+ with four home runs and 25 RBI. Hopefully Kelly can hold down the fort with Amaya out and continue to provide depth to a high powered Cubs lineup.
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