Caleb Thielbar returned to the Chicago Cubs after nearly a month recovering from a strained hamstring. He had previously been elevated to closer in April due to multiple bullpen injuries, posting a 3.13 ERA over 8.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and a 31.8% hard-hit rate allowed. Thielbar is not expected to be the long-term closer, but he adds a more reliable arm for late-game relief. Other bullpen pieces such as Daniel Palencia and Phil Maton have also returned, improving overall bullpen depth. Hunter Harvey remains unavailable, and Ben Brown and Colin Rea are now in the rotation. Ty Blach was designated for assignment to make room for Thielbar.
"Almost a month since Caleb Thielbar limped off the field with a strained hamstring - while acting as the team's interim closer, mind you - the veteran lefty is back. And that feels very, very good, given the way things have gone here lately. Thielbar isn't some magic, shutdown reliever, but he is one more trustworthy arm for Craig Counsell to deploy."
"With injuries (at the time) to Daniel Palencia, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, and to a lesser extent Ethan Roberts, Porter Hodge, Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Justin Steele (because it pulled relievers into the pen) ... Caleb Thielbar was elevated to closer for a short time this April. And honestly, he was handling it impressively: 3.13 ERA (2.41 xERA) through 8.2 IP, with 11Ks and just a 31.8% hard-hit rate allowed."
"Obviously, he is not - and should not - be the Cubs closer, but he absolutely is and should be a big part of Craig Counsell's late-game relief strategy. Fortunately, in addition to Thielbar, Palencia and Maton (eh...) have also been back for a while, which makes the Cubs bullpen look a lot closer to how it was supposed to on Opening Day."
"Obviously, the Cubs are still missing Hunter Harvey, who was supposed to be a key high-leverage option, while both Ben Brown and Colin Rea have been absorbed by the rotation. But the overall picture is just rosier than it was a few weeks ago, when seemingly everyone was hurt. Of course, back then, the Cubs were winning, so ... In any case, for now, it's just nice to have Caleb Thielbar back with the Cubs. He has a lot of important innings to cover before this season is through. And I'm happy to have him back. In his place, Ty Blach has been Designated for Assignment."
Read at Bleacher Nation
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