Cubs Activate Julian Merryweather, Option Hunter Bigge, Transfer Luke Little to 60-Day IL

The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Julian Merryweather from the 60-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Hunter Bigge to Triple-A Iowa. To make room on the 40-man roster for Merryweather, left-handed pitcher Luke Little has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Meryweather, 32, has been on the injured list since April 6 with a right rib stress fracture. The righthander recently went 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA (1 ER/4.2 IP) and five strikeouts in four rehab outings with the Rookie-Level ACL Cubs and Triple-A Iowa. Prior to landing on the injured list, Merryweather allowed one run in 4.2 IP (1.93 ERA) with six strikeouts in four relief outings for the Cubs.

Claimed off waivers by the Cubs from Toronto prior to the 2023 campaign, Merryweather has gone 5-1 with a 3.29 ERA (28 ER/76.2 IP) and two saves in 73 relief appearances for Chicago. All told across parts of five major league seasons with Toronto (2020-22) and Chicago (2023-24), the right-handed pitcher is 5-5 with a 4.24 ERA (61 ER/129.1 IP) and four saves in 120 games (five starts).

Bigge, 26, made his major league debut July 9 in Baltimore (0 ER/1.0 IP) and has allowed one run in 3.1 IP (2.70 ERA) with five strikeouts in four relief outings for Chicago in 2024.

Little, 23, was placed on the injured list July 13 with a left shoulder strain. In 30 games (one start) this season for Chicago, Little is 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA (10 ER/26.0 IP).

The Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field today at 7:05 p.m. CT in a game that can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score and WRTO 1200.