Cubs Recall Wesneski; Option Rucker to Triple-A

After kicking off the season on the Cubs’ big-league roster, thanks to an impressive Spring Training that helped earn him the fifth spot in the rotation, Wesneski struggled to find himself early and was sent back down to Triple-A. In eight starts he posted a 5.03 ERA with 28 strikeouts, 9 walks, a 1.322 WHIP, and gave up 43 hits including 10 home runs in just over 39 innings pitched.

In an interview before today’s game, Cubs manager David Ross said Wesneski plans to be in the bullpen “for now,” but the long-term plan is to have him as a starter.

If Wesneski can channel the electricity he displayed at the end of last season, which included a 2.18 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched, it would provide a huge shot in the arm to a Cubs’ pitching staff that could use it.

Michael Rucker Optioned to Iowa

To make room for Wesneski on the Cubs’ roster, bullpen arm Michael Rucker was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

In 20 games this season Rucker posted a 5.48 ERA with 25 strikeouts, 9 walks, a 1.739 WHIP, and gave up 31 hits as well as 14 earned runs in just 23 innings pitched.