Chicago Cubs Send Bullpen Arm to Injured List

The Chicago Cubs have sent right-handed Reliever Elijah Morgan to the injured list after he was removed from a game against the San Diego Padres. Morgan, 28, was acquired by the Cubs this offseason in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians and was expected to be a key contributor to the 2025 major league team. In his place, Luke Little has been added to the bullpen. Little is one of the recent additions to the Chicago Cubs pitching staff, replacing Morgan, Nate Pearson, and Justin Steele.

Morgan has struggled so far this season with the Chicago Cubs bullpen. In seven appearances, he has gone 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in 7.1 innings. The unfortunate right elbow impingement for Morgan has landed him on the 15-day injured list but could offer a reprieve for him to collect himself before returning to the Chicago Cubs bullpen. The team will rely on him for significant innings in 2025 once he is healthy enough to return.

Elijah Morgan Out with Elbow Injury

Elijah Morgan will miss some time for the Chicago Cubs after injuring his throwing elbow in a game against the Padres on Monday night. Morgan was struggling through his seventh appearance of 2025 when Craig Counsell and the trainer came out to the mound to check on Morgan. The 28-year-old right-hander left the game and was subsequently sent to the 15-day injured list with what is being listed as a right-elbow impingement. Morgan is the second pitcher from the Chicago Cubs pitching staff to be sidelined with an elbow impingement, joining Tyson Miller.

Morgan was sent to the injured list at the precise time Little became eligible to return from the IL, where he has been since Spring Training. Little will take Morgan’s spot and role on the major league roster in the Chicago Cubs bullpen. Counsell and the Cubs’ front office are hoping that Little will have more success than Morgan. Morgan is struggling to find his groove with the Chicago Cubs so far in 2025.

In his first season in the Windy City, Morgan is 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in 7.1 innings across seven appearances out of the bullpen. 2025 has been a departure from Morgan’s career track record. In four seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, Morgan went 18-13 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 262 strikeouts, 21 holds, and a save in 161 appearances, including 19 starts. Morgan has pitched well in two postseasons as well, pitching to the tune of a 2.45 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 7.1 innings.

Final Thoughts

I hope that Morgan isn’t out for an extended period. The Chicago Cubs are going to need him to contribute at some point if they want to protect their late-inning relievers and offer support for their starting rotation. Little will be fine in Morgan’s spot in the bullpen. He has spent time with the major league roster and pitched well, so in the short-term, I am not worried about the bullpen but Morgan’s long-term health is a concern moving forward.