Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Takes loss in relief Monday
Rotowire
Wesneski (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits across three innings of relief to take the loss Monday against Atlanta. He walked one and struck out two.
Wesneski had worked as a starter over his last three appearances, compiling a strong 2.20 ERA in the process, but he returned to the bullpen Monday and took over for starter Shota Imanaga, who tossed five scoreless innings. The righty seemed to lose a little sharpness in the relief role as he suffered his second loss of the season. Wesneski may return to the rotation at some point, though he's slated to work as a long reliever for now, which limits his fantasy appeal.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Sunday that Wesneski has been moved to the bullpen, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Counsell noted that Wesneski will work out of the bullpen for the Cubs' upcoming turn through the rotation, so it's possible that the right-hander could still move back into a starting role at some point later this month. For now, however, Wesneski will likely need the Cubs to lose another starter to injury, or for a rainout or a busy portion of the schedule to create a need for a temporary sixth starter. Wesneski had made each of his past three appearances for the Cubs as a starter, going 0-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 16.1 innings.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Suffers first loss Wednesday
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Wesneski (2-1) allowed three runs on seven hits across six innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres. He walked one and struck out three.
Wesneski pitched well enough, logging his second straight quality start in the process, but he got no run support in the 3-0 loss. The righty now has a strong 1.59 ERA overall, though it remains to be seen if he'll stick in the rotation moving forward. Justin Steele (hamstring) just returned from the injured list Monday, and Kyle Hendricks (back) could return in the near future, possibly as soon as May 17 following a rehab start over the weekend. For now, Wesneski is slated to start again Tuesday against Atlanta, but he may shift to a long-relief role after that.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Earns another start
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Wesneski will start Wednesday against the Padres.
The Cubs are getting Justin Steele (hamstring) back from the 15-day injured list Monday and Kyle Hendricks (back) could return next week, but Wesneski earned at least one more turn in the rotation. Wesneski blanked the Brewers over 6.1 innings while striking out eight Friday, marking the first time he has logged over four innings in the majors this season. He has a 0.54 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and a 14:3 K:BB in 16.2 innings across four appearances. Ben Brown could be the odd man for a starting spot, unless the Cubs go with a six-man rotation this week.
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Excellent against Milwaukee
Rotowire
Wesneski didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Brewers, allowing three hits and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out eight.
Wesneski was dominant, shutting out Milwaukee while matching his career high with eight punchouts. However, the Cubs bullpen couldn't maintain the 1-0 lead Wesneski handed off. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed just one earned run over 10.1 innings in two starts. Overall, he's 2-0 with a stellar 0.54 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 16.2 innings in a swing role this season. While Justin Steele (hamstring), Kyle Hendricks (back) and Jordan Wicks (forearm) are all nearing returns, Wesneski has certainly made a compelling case to remain in Chicago's rotation.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Another start on tap
Rotowire
Wesneski is slated to start Friday's series opener against the Brewers in Chicago.
He'll be making his second straight turn through the rotation after Jordan Wicks (forearm) recently joined Kyle Hendricks (back) and Justin Steele (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list. In his first start of the season this past Sunday in Boston, Wesneski gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Pitches well in no-decision
Rotowire
Wesneski did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out three in four innings.
All five hits Wesneski gave up went for singles. The Red Sox quickly got one in the first inning, though it was unearned after an error extended the frame. Wesneski later surrendered a second run in the third after Rafael Devers led off with a single and eventually found his way home. Wesneski has now gone four innings in two of his three appearances this season, though Sunday was his first as a starter, and his 63 pitches were the most he's thrown since Oct. 3, 2022. With Jordan Wicks (forearm) going on the IL, Wesneski will have an opportunity to stick in the rotation for the foreseeable future, and lines up for a home start against the Brewers his next time out.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Drawing start Sunday
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Wesneski will start Sunday in Boston in place of the injured Jordan Wicks (forearm), Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski went 2.1 innings and threw 20 pitches in a relief appearance Thursday against the Astros. He hasn't started a game since taking the hill April 12 for Triple-A Iowa, so Wesneski may be on a restricted pitch count Sunday and could struggle to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for the win. The Cubs haven't yet indicated that Wicks will need to miss any additional turns beyond Sunday, but if the lefty is forced to the injured list, Wesneski could end up becoming a fixture in the rotation.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Headed back to majors
Rotowire
The Cubs will recall Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa prior to Tuesday's game versus the Astros, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports.
He'll join Matt Mervis in being added to the big-league roster. There's no word at this point what the corresponding moves will be, but Wesneski can't be recalled unless he's replacing an injured player. The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings in an extended relief outing last week in Arizona, picking up a win in the process.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Sent to Iowa
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The 26-year-old was recalled to the majors Wednesday, but his big-league stint will come to an abrupt end with Jameson Taillon (back) returning from the injured list. Wesneski pitched four innings of relief and earned the win Wednesday and could work his way back into the majors if he continues finding success at Triple-A.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Earns first win of season
Rotowire
Wesneski (1-0) tossed four scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. He allowed just one hit and struck out two.
Wesneski was summoned from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day, and he quickly made an impact. The righty pitched well for Iowa, posting a 2.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 10.2 innings, and he has a chance to fill a long-relief role with the Cubs moving forward. Wesneski will have limited fantasy value unless he's able to enter the rotation at some point, which doesn't seem to be imminent.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Summoned from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski was called up from Triple-A to give the Cubs some length out of the bullpen after six relievers were needed to cover the final 4.2 innings of Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona. The right-hander has yet to make his 2024 big-league debut but has accrued a 2.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 10.2 innings with Iowa this season.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Wesneski struck out 12 over 11 innings this spring but also allowed 12 runs. The right-hander should join Iowa's rotation and could eventually help the Cubs either in a starting or relief role.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: May get sent to minors
Rotowire
Wesneski may be squeezed off the Cubs' Opening Day roster due to Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad both being likely to secure roles, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Wicks is the current favorite to land the No. 5 spot in the rotation, while Assad will likely shift to a long-relief role. That could push Wesneski off the roster entirely, as it may be more beneficial for his development if he's starting regularly at Triple-A Iowa. The righty could have some fantasy upside if he pushes into Chicago's rotation at some point, though for now, his appeal is limited.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Has best spring appearance
Rotowire
Wesneski tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians. He allowed two hits and struck out three.
Wesneski started his spring slate allowing seven runs over three innings in his first two appearances. However, in two outings since then, the righty has allowed just one run across six innings. Wesneski is battling for a spot in the rotation, and with Jameson Taillon (back) possibly set to miss some time early in the season, the former may be able to climb up the depth chart temporarily.
