Roster Moves: Cubs activate former All-Star reliever, option pitcher |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Brad Boxberger off the 60-day injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson to Triple-A Iowa.
Boxberger, 35, landed on the 15-day injured list May 15 (retroactive to May 14) with a right forearm strain. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list July 4 and in eight injury rehabilitation outings from August 14-31 threw 6.1 innings between the Rookie League ACL Cubs and Iowa, concluding with four-straight scoreless outings with the I-Cubs. Boxberger signed a one-year major league contract with a mutual option for 2024 and has posted a 5.52 ERA (9 ER/14.2 IP) with an 0-1 record, four holds and two saves in 17 relief outings for Chicago, walking nine and striking out 13. In 12 major league seasons with San Diego (2012-13), Tampa Bay (2014-17), Arizona (2018), Kansas City (2019), Miami (2020), Milwaukee (2021-22) and the Cubs, Boxberger owns a 31-38 record with 95 holds, 84 saves and a 3.51 ERA (184 ER/472.1 IP) with 577 strikeouts, a 1.27 WHIP and .216 opponent average in 501 games, all in relief. Boxberger was named to A.L. All-Star Team in 2015, and that season posted an A.L.-best 41 saves for Tampa Bay, good for fourth-most in the majors. The five-foot 10-inch, Fullerton, Calif., native, was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern California. Boxberger graduated from Foothill High School (Santa Ana, Calif.). His father, Rod, was selected by Houston in the first round of the 1978 draft and played six seasons in the Astros, Yankees and Angels farm systems. Thompson, 28, is 2-2 with one save and a 4.71 ERA (15 ER/28.2 IP) in 19 relief appearances spanning two stints with Chicago this season.
