Cubs roster moves: Keegan Thompson to IL, Vinny Nittoli DFA, Ethan Roberts, Jorge Lopez recalled

Here are some of the Cubs’ lineup changes ahead of Friday’s game against the Brewers in Milwaukee (not yet officially announced by the team):

Well, that’s interesting. Keegan Thompson last pitched on June 26 in San Francisco and there didn’t seem to be any indication of a fracture, but here we are.

Ethan Roberts last pitched in the major leagues more than two years ago, in April 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery and 14 games of rehabilitation (as well as games after the end of his assignment). rehabilitation and his option) between Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee and the Arizona Complex League Cubs, Roberts has 18 strikeouts and eight walks in 15 innings.

Roberts turns 27 next week. Many of us hope he comes back. It would be a great story if he succeeds at the MLB level.

Jorge Lopez was benched by the Mets earlier this year after an incident where he threw his glove into the stands at Citi Field and was subsequently misquoted by reporters. It appears the Mets overreacted. Lopez was pitching reasonably well for the Mets and had a solid year in 2022, split between the Twins and Orioles, where he recorded 23 saves in 29 chances and made the AL All-Star team. He also pitched for Craig Counsell in Milwaukee in 2017 and 2018, so there is some familiarity with him.

Nittoli was on the Cubs’ active roster for one day yesterday. Maybe he’ll be sent to Iowa and the Cubs can keep him for the future. If not, he’ll become the next Mark Leonette.

A bullpen shakeup is probably a good idea at this point. We’ll see who closes now — it could be Lopez. As always, we await developments.