Cubs Recall Rex Brothers, Option Adbert Alzolay to South Bend

The Cubs have recalled lefty reliever Rex Brothers from South Bend and he will be available for them Friday night in Milwaukee. The 32-year-old was on the Opening Day roster and posted an 11.57 ERA (3 ER/2.1 IP) with five strikeouts in two relief outings before being optioned to South Bend on August 6 when rosters went from 30 to 28 players.

Brothers looked really good for most of spring training and seemed like he could have been a dude again after having a really rough go of it since 2013 with the Rockies. If nothing else, he gives the Cubs an experienced lefty who’s neither on the IL nor fresh off a stint with a team from Sugar Land.

In order to make room on the roster, Adbert Alzolay was optioned to South Bend. This was a procedural move since he just started Thursday night and may not be needed again in the rotation until maybe the White Sox series at the end of the season. That’s because the Cubs have two days off next week and can roll with four starters barring any changes. However, it would make sense for them to bring Alzolay back in a relief role because he’s still one of the best 14 pitchers in their player pool.

Expect to see more of this shuffling like this as the Cubs stream pitchers at the back end of the ‘pen to keep as many fresh arms around as possible.