The Chicago Cubs placed right-handed reliever Julian Merryweather on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday due to tendinitis in his right knee.
The move was retroactive to Monday. In further steps, the Cubs sent rookie right-hander Jack Neely to Triple-A Iowa and brought back right-handers Daniel Palencia and Keegan Thompson from Iowa.
Merryweather last pitched on Sunday, when he allowed four runs and five hits in one inning of Chicago’s 7-2 road loss to the Miami Marlins. This season, Merryweather is 1-1 in 15 relief appearances with a 6.60 ERA, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in 15 innings.
The 32-year-old has a career average of 6-6 with four saves, a 4.58 ERA, 62 walks and 162 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings in 131 games (five starts) for the Toronto Blue Jays (2020-22) and Cubs.
Neely, 24, made his major league debut on Aug. 21, posting a 13.50 ERA with two walks and five strikeouts in four innings of relief appearances.
Palencia, 24, is 0-1 with one save, a 6.55 ERA, eight walks and 12 strikeouts in 11 innings in seven relief appearances for Chicago this year.
Thompson, 29, has a 1-1 record with one save, a 3.50 ERA, 10 walks and 26 strikeouts in 18 innings in 13 relief appearances for Chicago.
