Cubs Activate Daniel Norris from IL, Option Matt Swarmer to Iowa

The Cubs had a pair of relievers working in the bullpen late in Tuesday’s loss to the Orioles and manager David Ross was looking for someone to close the game. Tommy Hottovy called down to see which was more prepared to take the bump in the 9th and was told, “Matt’s warmer.” And just like that, the Cubs have a new bullpen arm.

Left-handed pitcher Daniel Norris has been activated from the 15-day injured list and right-handed pitcher Matt Swarmer has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room. Swarmer’s three walks in his last appearance didn’t doom him so much as the timing, since it’s usually the guy who just pitched that ends up being sent down.

Norris landed on the injured list June 23 with a left index finger strain after going 0-4 with a 7.24 ERA, 40 strikeouts and two holds in 24 games. His 13.17 K/9 is tops among all Cubs pitchers this season, which would be great if his 5.93 BB/9 didn’t also lead the team. Norris’s 2.30 HR/9 would also be highest on the team if not for Swarmer’s 3.18, a number that was inflated by a disastrous outing against the Yankees.

Not really much else to say about this move.