In some ways, Julian Merryweather felt he hadn’t missed too much time.
The Chicago Cubs’ 32-year-old reliever had stayed in touch with his teammates, at first by staying around the team following the unusual rib stress fracture he sustained one week into the season. Once his symptoms went away after six weeks as expected and the rehab process started up, Merryweather continued to keep an eye on the big-league team and its, at times, revolving bullpen.
“The last month has been amazing, but just watching everyone find their footing, find their roles, and then just really put their careers on the line for the team,” Merryweather told the Tribune on Tuesday before the Cubs’ 1-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. “They’re going out there every night, doing what’s right for the team and it’s motivating to watch that. You’re excited to join a team that’s like that. It’s a tight-knit group, and it’s something I’m really excited to be a part of.”
In their last 21 games dating to June 27, the Cubs’ bullpen owns an MLB-best 1.13 ERA, allowing just nine earned runs in 72 innings entering Tuesday. The Atlanta Braves possess the next lowest bullpen ERA at 2.00. During this span, Cubs relievers have not allowed a run in 15 of those games. Part of that success can be attributed to rookie Porter Hodge and right-hander Tyson Miller being trusted and thriving in more high-leverage spots. And as the season has progressed, manager Craig Counsell continues to gain more knowledge and insight into his players.
“It’s not just what they say, it’s the body language, how people say it, because competitors are always generally over-promising, which is how we are wired,” Counsell said. “At this point, you feel comfortable with the guys that have been here, knowing them really well and knowing kind of what to look for and signs of he needs a day or push him that he can go, whatever.”
The formula the Cubs have used out of the bullpen lately has been a winning combination that should only benefit from Merryweather’s addition. Merryweather, who came off the injured list Monday, gives the Cubs a fresh, experienced arm during a point in the season when pitchers can start to feel the summer drag. He appeared in only four games before his injury in early April, but returned in the eighth inning on Tuesday, facing four batters and giving up two hits while striking out two.
The relief group might not stay together much longer, however. With the July 30 trade deadline less than one week away, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Monday he doesn’t expect to acquire a short-term rental to improve the 2024 roster. Rather, the Cubs will be looking for deals that will help them in 2025 and beyond. Their bullpen is set up to be the most impacted by trades with veteran Héctor Neris, right-handers Mark Leiter Jr., Jorge Lopez and Merryweather, and left-hander Drew Smyly positioned to receive the most attention from contending teams looking to upgrade their ’pen.
After surrendering eight runs in a three-game stretch from June 11-17, Neris has not allowed a run in nine-straight appearances over eight innings, giving up five hits and striking out 12. Smyly’s 1.19 ERA (three runs in 22 2/3) over his last 16 games since June 2 has him tied for the ninth-lowest ERA in the National League (minimum 15 games). Leiter has been unhittable in his five appearances after coming off the IL, posting 5 1/3 shutout innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts.
“It’s such a challenge that you build a bullpen and these things do go up and down, not just for us, for everybody,” Hoyer said. “I’m proud of those guys that they’ve stabilized really well and they’ve done well during this stretch. … You’re always going to be listening, you’re always going to be thinking about what things can make us better for the future. There are seasons when you play so well you put yourself in such good position where the only focus is on, how do we get ready for the playoffs? How do we make sure that we make this team bulletproof for the next 61 games? We’re obviously not in that spot.”
Players always try to block out the external noise when the trade deadline approaches. But even if they are able to, they also understand this is a business and a new reality awaits next week for some in the Cubs clubhouse.
“It just speaks to how good this bullpen is throwing that there’s even talks about bullpen arms that are going to get moved here because it’s just such a talented group,” Merryweather said. “So, I mean, obviously that comes with the territory. But I would obviously love to be with this team the rest of the year and I think all of us would like to see this team succeed down the stretch here.”