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The Cubs got a player back from the injured list Saturday when they activated Jason Heyward.
They also made a roster move Saturday for some bullpen help. They have had success with several arms from their system this year, including Keegan Thompson, Justin Steele and Tommy Nance.
They’re going to try another one, as they have called up righthander Cory Abbott from Triple-A Iowa:
Cubs have recalled RHP Cory Abbott (No. 15 prospect for Cubs per MLB Pipeline). LHP Brad Wieck optioned to clear a roster spot in the bullpen.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 5, 2021
A chance to get a look at Abbott, but Ross said move really about having length in bullpen right now after last two games.
Abbott, who was the Cubs’ second-round pick out of Loyola Marymount in 2017, has numbers at Triple-A Iowa that don’t look so great: 6.39 ERA, 1.658 WHIP in five starts. He has struck out 41 in 25⅔ innings, 13 of which were in his most recent outing, May 30 vs. St. Paul. Thus Abbott has had four days’ rest since that 103-pitch start, so he should be available tonight to back up Kohl Stewart, who is starting Saturday’s game against the Giants.
Here’s some info on Abbott from Tommy Birch at the Des Moines Register from last month, and here’s even more on Abbott:
Quick rundown of Cory Abbott
— Greg Huss (@OutOfTheVines) June 5, 2021
• Low- to mid-90s with the fastball, likes to work up in the zone
• Slutter (SL/CT) is his go-to putaway pitch and can be plus-plus
• Absolute bulldog mentality on the mound, almost Lester-like
• Susceptible to the long ball but racks up the Ks
Hopefully, Abbott will have similar success to the previous callups. Welcome to the big leagues, Cory!