Cubs shuffle pitching staff in flurry of roster moves

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Prior to Wednesday’s game against the Mets, the Cubs made a series of roster moves pertaining to their pitching staff

The Cubs officially called up hard-throwing right-hander Robert Stock from Triple-A Iowa to start Wednesday in New York.

To make room for Stock, 31, on the 40-man roster, catcher P.J. Higgins was transferred to the 60-day IL. 

The Cubs also recalled rookie right-hander Cory Abbott from Iowa, optioning Trevor Megill there. Reliever Dillon Maples landed on the 10-day IL with a right triceps strain, retroactive to June 15.

Wednesday marks Stock’s Cubs debut. They him off waivers from Boston in December, designating him for assignment in spring training before outrighting him to Iowa.

Stock, who wields a 100+ mph fastball, holds a career 4.24 ERA in 52 big-league appearances with the Padres (2018-19) and Red Sox (2020). He's pitched exclusively in relief in the majors but started his last two games with Iowa, throwing four innings each time.

Higgins hit the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain last Friday. The backstop felt tightness in the forearm after a game against the Padres last week. He underwent an MRI, which revealed "real damage" in his elbow," Ross said.

"Just stinks for him. Getting started in his career and have a setback like that," Ross added. "He’ll be back. We’ll see how it goes from there. But some bad news that we got for sure."

Higgins will get a second opinion before the Cubs determine the next steps.

Abbott gives the Cubs length out of the bullpen during this stretch of 12 games without an off day. He made two appearances in a brief big-league stint earlier this month, throwing 3 1/3 innings.

Megill made two appearances after the Cubs recalled him from Iowa last Saturday. Ross talked to the right-hander about being more aggressive and attacking hitters, following this week's option.

“His stuff is really electric,” Ross said of Megill. “He just looked a little more passive this time out.”

Gordon Wittenmyer contributed to this report.

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