Cubs Activate Ryan Brasier From IL, Option Ethan Roberts

After throwing one inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18, Brasier went to the injured list with a left groin strain. The 37-year-old began a rehab assignment on May 7, and he is apparently ready to return to action in MLB games. 

The Cubs acquired Brasier in exchange for cash after the Dodgers designated him for assignment in January. Although he is injury prone, Brasier could be a high-leverage option for the Cubs as he was a primary setup man for Los Angeles in recent years. 

During his season and a half of work with the Dodgers, Brasier compiled 66.2 innings with a 1.89 ERA with 63 strikeouts. With Porter Hodge on the injured list, the Cubs could lean on Brasier in later innings of close ballgames. Last year, he posted an elite chase rate of 34.8% on his pitches while limiting opposing batters' walks to just a 4.5% clip.