Tepera hits IL in major blow to bullpen strength originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Cubs placed right-hander Ryan Tepera, part of their three-headed relief monster, on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left calf strain.
Tepera’s calf injury popped up in recent days, manager David Ross said.
Tepera, 33, is in the midst of a strong season for a Cubs bullpen that has been one of the best in baseball, forming a lockdown late-inning trio with Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel. Through June 20, he held a 1.82 ERA in 33 appearances.
But the right-hander has allowed seven earned runs in his last four appearances, including four Monday night against the Brewers.
The Cubs also have leaned hard on him, Chafin and Kimbrel. Tepera's 37 appearances rank second in baseball.
“The stuff was coming out good,” Ross said. “Just looks like he's working really hard right now, and I don't know if that's fatigue or just working through injuries.
“It made a lot of sense on a lot of levels to IL him, give him a little bit of a breath and get him back hopefully in a short time.”
In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Tommy Nance from Triple-A Iowa. Nance was optioned to Iowa on Monday.
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Adam Morgan called up, Matt Duffy transferred to 60-day IL
The Cubs also called up Adam Morgan from Iowa, optioning Megill there to make room on the active roster. Matt Duffy was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for Morgan on the 40-man roster.
Ross said he’s received good reports from Iowa on Morgan, whom the Cubs signed to a minor-league deal in February. The lefty posted a 2.20 ERA in 15 appearances.
“He’s a veteran guy that’s been around a little bit that we can put into the mix pretty confident of how he's going to handle the moment.”
Duffy is working his way back from a low back strain, and Ross said Tuesday the Cubs weren’t expecting him to return before the All-Star break. He's now eligible to return July 22, and Tuesday's move offers the Cubs roster flexibility.
“With his injury, a couple more days aren't going to hurt,” Ross said, “and for him to be able to map it out where he's definitely got his legs underneath him.
“He’ll be able to be on his feet in a rehab start. Hopefully, if everything plays out well, he’ll be ready to really contribute.”
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