Cubs Recall Hayden Wesneski, Option Michael Rucker

The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-handed pitcher Michael Rucker to Iowa.

Wesneski, 25, is 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA (22 ER/39.1 IP) in eight starts with the Cubs this season. In five outings from April 17-May 7, he pitched to a 2.22 ERA (7 ER/28.1 IP) and a 0.92 WHIP, holding opponents to one run in four of those games and recording three quality starts. Wesneski, who made his first career Opening Day roster, was optioned to Iowa May 15. In two starts with the I-Cubs he has allowed one earned run in 9.0 innings of work (1.00 ERA), including 5.0 no-hit innings May 20 at Indianapolis.

Acquired from the Yankees for right-handed pitcher Scott Effross on August 1, 2022, Wesneski made his major league debut on September 6 of last season, pitching 5.0 innings in relief against Cincinnati (2 H, BB, 8 SO), and made his first career start on September 17 against the Rockies (7.0 IP, 3 H, R/ER, 7 SO).

From the time of his major league debut to the end of the 2022 season, his 2.18 ERA (8 ER/33.0 IP) ranked ninth among qualified major league pitchers.  In 14 major league appearances (12 starts), he has a 5-4 record and a 3.73 ERA (30 ER/72.1 IP) with 67 hits allowed and 61 strikeouts, compared to 16 walks, contributing to a 1.15 WHIP.

In all or part of four minor league seasons, Wesneski is 19-16 with two complete games, three saves and a 3.59 ERA (111 ER/278.0 IP) in 69 games (49 starts). He has walked 84 and struck out 296 batters.

Rucker, 29, has made 20 relief appearances with the Cubs this season, posting a 5.48 ERA (14 ER/23.0 IP), including six-straight scoreless outings April 14-26 (5.0 IP).