Cubs Roster Moves: Little & Rolison Recalled, Barnes Optioned, Roberts to IL
We already covered the two promotions, but now it’s all official.
The Chicago Cubs today recalled left-handed pitchers Luke Little and Ryan Rolison from Triple-A Iowa. In corresponding moves, right-handed pitcher Ethan Roberts was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right middle finger laceration (retroactive to April 13) and left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Little, 25, is 3-0 with a 4.70 ERA (4 ER/7.2 IP) in five relief appearances this season with the I-Cubs. Over his major league career with the Cubs, the Charlotte, N.C., native is 3-1 with a 2.80 ERA (11 ER/35.1 IP) in 39 games/1 start. He made two relief appearances with the Cubs last season while spending the rest of the season with Iowa. He was originally drafted by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of San Jacinto JC (Texas).
Rolison, 28, has made five relief appearances for Iowa and owns a 0-0 record with a 3.68 ERA (3 ER/7.1 IP). His 11 strikeouts this season lead team relievers.
The Jackson, Tenn. native joined the Cubs organization on Jan. 7 when he was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Last season, he pitched in the Rockies organization and made his major league debut on May 13, 2025, at Texas. He went 1-0 with a 7.02 ERA (33 Er/42.1 IP) in 31 games/1 start with the Rockies. In 2025 with Triple-A Albuquerque, Rolison went 3-1 with a 3.34 ERA (11 ER/29.2 IP) in 20 appearances/1 start. He was originally drafted in 2018 by the Rockies as the 22nd overall pick out of the University of Mississippi.
Roberts, 28, has made three scoreless relief appearances for the Cubs this season, allowing just one hit in 2.2 innings pitched.
Barnes, 30, made his Cubs debut last night and allowed four runs—three earned—in 3.0 innings of relief. He was recalled from Iowa on Sunday.
The Cubs play the Philadelphia Phillies tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET in Philadelphia in a game that can be seen on Marquee and heard on 104.3 the Score.
