CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Craig Counsell is quick to remind that the makeup of the bullpen when the team that reached the playoffs last season looked much different than the Opening Day cast. It is a volatile part of the roster, but Chicago took steps in the offseason to try to avoid drastic turnover.
On Sunday, right-hander Hunter Harvey -- one of four primary free-agent signings to help the relief corps -- was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right triceps inflammation. That came after veteran righty Phil Maton (another high-profile signing over the winter) was put on the 15-day IL with right knee tendinitis on Friday.
“We’re trying to get to stuff before it gets too bad here,” Counsell said prior to Sunday’s game against the Pirates.
To fill Harvey’s spot in the bullpen, the Cubs selected the contract of 30-year-old lefty Charlie Barnes from Triple-A Iowa.
Harvey and Maton joined lefty Hoby Milner and righty Jacob Webb as the four additions to the Major League bullpen for the Cubs, who also re-signed veteran Caleb Thielbar over the winter. One of the returnees for Chicago’s bullpen, righty Porter Hodge, is also on the 15-day IL with a right flexor strain, though he has resumed playing catch.
In Harvey’s case, the Cubs brought him into the fold with a one-year, $6 million contract with the hope that his high-velocity fastball could have a home in the later innings. Through four innings this season, Harvey has posted a 6.75 ERA with four strikeouts, one walk and five hits allowed (including two home runs).
Counsell said the 31-year-old Harvey did not recover well after either of his past two appearances (April 3 in Cleveland and Wednesday at Tampa Bay).
“Hopefully, it’s just a little bit of soreness in the triceps,” Counsell said, “and we can get rid of it in two to three weeks and move on.”
The manager said that Harvey’s history with injuries played into the Cubs’ decision to be cautious. The righty dealt with a right teres major (shoulder) strain and a right adductor strain last season with the Royals, and he missed the bulk of the second half in 2024 due to back issues.
“That rolls into trying to be conservative here, absolutely,” Counsell said. “But the way he was recovering and kind of the usage, it just sent up some red flags. We’ve got to be careful here and push pause.”
Barnes appeared in nine games for the Twins in the 2021 season, but he has spent parts of the past four campaigns pitching for Lotte in the Korea Baseball Organization. The lefty joined the Cubs on a Minor League deal and turned in a 2.38 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks in 11 1/3 innings through three outings (one start) with Triple-A Iowa.
“He wasn’t in big league camp,” Counsell said, “but he came over and pitched a bunch of times. Pitched well in Minor League camp. Pitched well to start the season. And he’s available in a length option.”