Struggling Chicago Cubs Reliever Ends Up Back on IL

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge is heading back to the injured list for the second time this season. After missing time earlier this season with an oblique strain, Hodge struggled in his return and is heading back to the shelf with a right shoulder impingement. The injury is not serious. Hodge is expected to make a full return in a couple of weeks. Until then, the Chicago Cubs have recalled right-hander Ethan Roberts from AAA Iowa to take his place in the bullpen.

Chicago Cubs Send Porter Hodge to 15-Day IL

Hodge has struggled since returning from the injured list in late June. An oblique injury sidelined the hard-throwing right-hander for nearly six weeks. After being unable to find his rhythm over his last five appearances, the Chicago Cubs are hoping a second stint on the injured list will give Hodge time to get back to full strength and be ready to contribute to the bullpen for the final two months of the season.

So far this season, Hodge is 2-1 with a 6.85 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 23.2 innings across 26 appearances. Since coming off the IL the first time, Hodge has a 15.37 ERA in six outings. The 24-year-old was once thought to be a possible closer for the Chicago Cubs, but hasn’t been able to improve. Health may be a factor, so the team is giving him a break for the next couple of weeks. The official designation for Hodge’s injury is a shoulder impingement. Hodge was placed on the 15-day IL after a six-run outing against the Minnesota Twins. In a corresponding move, the front office has recalled Roberts from AAA Iowa.

Roberts has been a part of three seasons with the Chicago Cubs, including 2025. For his career, Roberts is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 42.2 innings across 39 appearances. In 2025, Roberts has appeared in nine games and is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 8.1 innings. As the trade deadline approaches and the Chicago Cubs are expected to make a move to bolster their bullpen, they are hoping Roberts can be effective for the next couple of weeks until reinforcements arrive on the north side.

The Chicago Cubs didn’t seem to try to hide the fact that this injury is just a reset for Hodge. After his poor performance against Minnesota, Manager Craig Counsell was asked about the decision to place Hodge on the IL and said, “After just talking to Porter and kind of digging into some of our stuff that we track. We just don’t think he’s 100 percent right. I don’t think this is a big injury. This is something that we don’t think it’s the right time for Porter to try to push through it, so we’re going to take a little break here.”