Cubs roster move: Adam Morgan activated from bereavement list, Manuel Rodriguez to IL

Adam Morgan, who was placed on the bereavement list last Friday, was activated by the team this afternoon and will be available for tonight’s game against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

To make room for Morgan on the 28-man active roster, Manuel Rodriguez has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Now we know, perhaps, why Rodriguez has been so shaky his last few outings (27.00 ERA over his last four appearances with five walks and only three strikeouts). Rodriguez will be eligible to return for the last two series of the year in Pittsburgh and St. Louis, but the reality is he’s likely done for 2021.

Morgan’s first eight appearances for the Cubs were pretty bad (8.31 ERA, 2.308 WHIP). But since the All-Star break, Morgan has been really good: 22 appearances, 2.08 ERA, 0.981 WHIP, six walks and 20 strikeouts in 17⅓ innings. He’s become one of the more reliable relievers in David Ross’ bullpen and has definitely put himself in the conversation for 2022.

This feature by Meghan Montemurro in the Tribune last month details Morgan’s comeback from elbow surgery last fall and sounds like he’s developed a good approach to the game:

“Each day, I’m very thankful to be here, that’s how I’m going about this,” Morgan said. “I don’t think that I deserve anything. I don’t think this game gives you anything, that’s for sure. If I were to retire, there wasn’t going to be a moment of silence, there wasn’t going to be a retiring of my number — the game doesn’t owe you anything.

“But for me, you want to respect the game, do the right things and see how far you can go.”

Hopefully, this and his 2021 performance will allow him to be a key contributor for the Cubs next year.