The Chicago Cubs just narrowed down the fifth starting pitcher job and trimmed the bullpen by optioning Jordan Wicks and Eli Morgan to Triple-A Iowa.
Wicks going down is not a surprise. With three minor league options remaining on his deal, it makes sense to keep him stretched out in Triple-A and ready to be called up as depth should the starting rotation need reinforcements.
The job for the fifth starting pitcher in the rotation has also been likely narrowed down to Ben Brown and Colin Rea. Both have served in the swingman role at the major league level and can eat innings. Each man's performance for the remaining five Spring Training games will likely determine who will begin the season as one of the starting five.
Morgan, on the other hand, is a bit more surprising. The reliever will be 29 in May and the Cubs just used the final minor league option on his contract. This is probably a move to keep as many pitchers as possible on the roster to start the season for depth purposes. The only others in the bullpen who have options left are Porter Hodge and Nate Pearson, both hard throwers who figure to be high-leverage components of the team's relief corps.
But Morgan will be one of the first to be called up should an injury hit the bullpen, which is virtually inevitable. He's shown that he can pitch at a very high level, posting a 1.93 ERA in 42 innings for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024. The Cubs also gave up a good power-hitting prospect in Alfonsin Rosario to acquire him, so he won't be in Iowa for long.
With the move, Tyson Miller's job in Chicago appears more secure for now, and the domestic Opening Day bullpen will likely consist of him, Pearson, Hodge, Ryan Brasier, Caleb Thielbar, Julian Merryweather, and Ryan Pressly as the closer.
