Cubs Recall Journeyman Pitcher, Option Struggling Lefty

Brooks Kriske Recalled by Cubs; Jordan Wicks Optioned

This move isn’t groundbreaking or anything of that sort, but it exemplifies the Cubs’ lack of pitching right now. The Cubs most likely brought Kriske back up to the majors to add an extra arm before the All-Star break. Yesterday against the Yankees, Jordan Wicks threw 68 pitches in three innings of work, so he would not be available to them in this series. He was forced to do this due to another bullpen game because of injuries to the Cubs’ pitching. Although Wicks isn’t the ideal choice for a pitcher in a bullpen game, the Cubs didn’t have many other options. In 8 1/3 innings this year, Wicks has a 9.72 ERA and a 2.400 WHIP. But, because of Jameson Taillon‘s injury, the Cubs were forced to give Wicks a few innings.

Brooks Kriske is a 31-year-old who has played in the majors since 2020 but has only pitched 23 2/3 career innings in MLB. This includes brief stints with the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, and now the Cubs. He has a career ERA of 10.27 with 26 strikeouts. Kriske has spent the majority of his career in the minors and has put up substantial numbers.

Since beginning his minor league career in 2016, he has pitched 254 innings, posting a 3.05 ERA and 1.142 WHIP. This year for the Cubs, he has pitched two scoreless innings in one appearance, coming on May 24 against the Cincinnati Reds. He will most likely be used sparingly in the short term and then possibly optioned back to Triple-A Iowa or designated for assignment. If the Cubs could get any amount of scoreless innings out of Kriske, his brief stint will be successful.