Rocky

Cherry

Cherry gave up three runs in 9 1/3 innings in his first stint with the Cubs between April and May. He hadn’t pitched very well in Triple-A since -- which is a big reason why Clay Rapada, Sean Gallagher and Billy Petrick have all received looks -- but the Cubs have decided to try him again anyway. He’ll pitch in middle relief.

The Cubs needed another reliever after short starts the last two days, and Cherry probably would have been optioned back to the minors anyway. Doing it this way allows the team to recall Billy Petric. Otherwise, Petrick would have had to remain in the minors through the All-Star break.

Cherry had been on the DL since July 1 with a right lat strain. He was going to be sent down then if not for the DL assignment.

Cherry will be back up when rosters expand in September.

The move was made to make room on the roster for Kerry Wood. Cherry will likely return in September.

Cherry was barely hurt in the first place, so he began his rehab assignment just five days after going on the DL. He might be optioned to Triple-A as soon as his 15 days are up.

Cherry has a 2.38 ERA in nine appearances for the Cubs this season. He’ll resume working in the middle innings.

Cherry emerged as one of the Cubs’ top relief prospects last year, but he wasn’t quite as successful in the minors this season, amassing a 4.59 ERA to go along with his 56/18 K/BB ratio in 51 IP for Triple-A Iowa. He did have a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings for the Cubs earlier this season. While he is 28 years old, his stuff is legitimate enough for him to have a career as a middle reliever. Like Scott Moore, he’ll likely be one of the Orioles’ September callups.

It’ll be Cherry’s third team this season. He hasn’t made a major league appearance since 2008, when he finished with a 6.35 ERA in 18 appearances out of the Orioles’ bullpen.

Cherry takes Chad Bradford’s place in the bullpen after posting a 2.89 ERA and 37/9 K/BB ratio in 37 1/3 innings at Triple-A. He projects as a solid middle reliever, but turns 29 years old in a couple weeks and has just 31 1/3 career MLB innings under his belt.