Chicago Cubs Place Two Pitchers On 60-Day IL

The Chicago Cubs have freed up two spots on their 40-man roster.

They have placed two pitchers, Codi Heuer and Ethan Roberts, on the 60-day injured list due to right elbow injuries.

Cubs finally make the Michael Fulmer signing official which seemed like a safe assumption considering he threw a bullpen in uniform at their complex yesterday. Codi Heuer goes on the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man.

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) February 20, 2023

Heuer, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2022, expects to complete his rehabilitation around mid-June. He has already started a throwing program and hopes to regain velocity and command in the second half of the season.

The move to the 60-day IL is little more than a procedural move that opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for newly signed reliever Michael Fulmer.

On the other hand, Ethan Roberts underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2022 and will likely miss the majority of the season. There's a possibility that he may not even pitch in 2023. His placement on the 60-day IL created a spot on the 40-man roster for the Cubs to sign Edwin Rios to a one-year deal.

The right-handed pitcher holds a career 3.09 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 139 strikeouts over 128.1 innings of work in the minors. He's made 95 relief appearances and converted 17 saves. 

While Heuer's return could provide some much-needed relief to the team's bullpen, Roberts' absence will leave a hole that the Cubs will need to fill.

The Cubs are still reportedly looking to bring in one more reliever before the start of the season. Photo Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports