The Cubs reinstated right-hander Brad Boxberger from the 60-day injured list and optioned fellow righty Keegan Thompson to Triple-A Iowa, the team announced. The activation of Boxberger, who’s been out since mid-May with a forearm strain, brings Chicago’s 40-man roster to capacity.
Boxberger, 35, signed a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $2.8MM this offseason (in the form of a $2MM salary and an $800K buyout on a $5MM mutual option). He’s been limited to just 14 2/3 frames on account of this injury, however.
As one would expect from a pitcher dealing with forearm issues, the results in that timeframe were far from Boxberger’s previously established levels. The veteran righty’s velocity was down 0.8 mph from its 2022 levels and 1.5 mph from where it sat in 2021, and Boxberger was tagged for nine runs on 13 hits and nine walks. The resulting 5.52 ERA would be the worst mark of his 12-year MLB career, while his 20% strikeout rate would be his second-worst and his 13.8% walk rate would tie for his third-worst.
Difficult as the early stages of the season were for Boxberger, he of course has a lengthy track record of success. The right-hander spent the past two seasons with the division-rival Brewers, for whom he compiled 128 2/3 innings of 3.15 ERA ball while picking up five saves and 52 holds. Boxberger has pitched to a sub-4.00 ERA in eight of his 11 full big leagues seasons and dropped under the 3.00 mark four times (most recently last year’s 2.95). He carries a lifetime 3.51 earned run average in the Majors, with a hearty 28.8% strikeout rate against an 11.5% walk rate that has been his primary downfall during his worst seasons. Boxberger has 92 career holds and 84 saves, so he’s no stranger to working in leverage spots.
The Cubs will hope that they’re getting a healthier version of Boxberger whose results align more closely with his broader track record. Boxberger stumbled early in his minor league rehab stint but made four straight scoreless appearances (totaling 3 2/3 innings) before being activated — including scoreless outings on back-to-back days (his first time working on consecutive days since early May).
Cubs may need to think outside the box
I don’t get this move. It should be Mastrobuoni or wisdom that is optioned. Keegan has had his struggles but more times than not he’s been solid.
Rules limit the total numbers of pitchers on the active roster to 14. If you bring up a pitcher you have to put down a pitcher. Simple as that.
Yeah I know. I hate that rule. I’d rather they keep Keegan and not bothered with Boxburger
I hate that rule too——it should be no more than 11 pitchers on a roster and get back to starters going 7 innings without a parade behind them. 14 limits the clown shuttle to the mound a little bit…but not enough.
As for Boxberger over Thompson…..Keegan of last year, 100%….Keegan of recent, minus one Pitt outing….not so good. I doubt that either play a big role in any close game down the stretch.
I hope it works out – but Boxberger doesn’t inspire much confidence in me. Thank goodness his contract is basically for one year.
Keegan would be fine if Ross would figure out he’s not the same multi inning guy he was. He was fine the first inning then Ross got greedy and tried for more. Well he’s gone for the rest of the regular season anyway. Boxberger started out rough on his rehab but has been better lately. Like mike said, Neither one would of gotten leverage innings anyway I doubt.
What is the reasoning behind asinine buyouts? Why not just pay $2.8 million?
It’s either 2.8 for the one year or $7M for two. As it stands now it doesn’t pin the Cubs into that $5M for ‘24 and gives Boxberger a little bit more. Nothing asinine about the way this contract works out.
Now, that Liam Hendricks $15+M deal with the same amount as a buyout…that one is a little odd.
It’s paid out at 1 million a year for 15 years. Another way for Reinsdorf to drag things along.
Trade him to the Marlins then you got Burger and a Boxberger!