Cubs Recall Michael Rucker, Option Caleb Kilian

Short on time, so here’s the press release…

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

Rucker, 29, begins his third stint with Chicago this season as he broke camp with the club before he was optioned to Iowa May 30. He was also on the big-league roster June 7-July 28 and in 34 relief appearances for the Cubs is 2-1 with a 5.03 ERA (22 ER/39.1 IP), 17 walks and 39 strikeouts. Rucker has held left-handed hitters to a .224 average (15-for-67) and limited opponents to a .244 average (11-for-45) with runners in scoring position.

The six-foot one-inch Rucker made his major league debut with Chicago in 2021 and in parts of three seasons is 5-2 with one save and a 5.00 ERA (68 ER/122.1 IP) in 95 career relief appearances. He was selected by the Cubs in the 11th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Brigham Young University.

Kilian, 26, has made three appearances (one start) for the Cubs this season, going 0-1 with a 16.88 ERA (10 ER/5.1 IP).

He is 7-1 with a 3.97 ERA (39 ER/88.1 IP) in 18 games (17 starts) for Iowa.