Cubs reportedly make decision on final roster spot |
Tony Crumpton
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- Wednesday, March 28 2018
The Chicago Cubs 2018 roster is now set.
According a report by the Athletic, the Cubs will keep pitcher Eddie Butler with the major league team for the final roster spot in the Cubs bullpen. One of the main reasons that he was kept in the majors was his versatility being able to be a spot starter out of the bullpen if an injury arises and he also didn't have any more options left at the minor league level. He would have been put on waivers and more than likely he would have been picked up and used as a starter by another team at the big league level. During the spring, Butler was 0-2 with a 4.20 ERA. In 2017 with the Cubs, he had a 4-3 record with 3.95 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 54.2 innings pitched (including 11 starts). The Rockies drafted him in the first round of the 2012 draft. There was some concern that reliever Pedro Strop would start the season on the disabled list with a calf issue, but it appears that he will OK for Thursday's game against the Miami Marlins.
