Cubs roster move: Luke Farrell to Iowa, Eddie Butler recalled from rehab assignment

Eddie Butler began the 2018 season on the 25-man roster and immediately posted what’s turned out to be one of the best outings by any Cubs pitcher this year. On March 30, in what eventually became a 17-inning loss to the Marlins, he threw seven shutout innings before leaving with a runner on base. Eventually that runner scored the winning run.

Butler suffered a right groin injury and went on the DL April 20. For the last four weeks he’s been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa, working his way up into game shape. He threw 54 pitches in his last outing.

Now, he’s returning to the big leagues:

Luke Farrell had a pretty bad outing Monday against the Diamondbacks, but has had some modest success in the majors with the Cubs, including an outing similar to Butler’s in a long extra-inning game. That was five shutout innings against the Mets June 2 in New York.

Farrell has talent and will probably be back in September, if not before.

With the activation of Butler from the 60-day disabled list, the 40-man roster is now full.