Chicago Cubs: Brian Duensing gives Joe Maddon another lefty option

After opening the season with a lone lefty in the bullpen, Brian Duensing gives the Chicago Cubs another southpaw outside of Mike Montgomery.

Last season, the Chicago Cubs had several left-handed relief options out of the bullpen. Travis Wood, Aroldis Chapman, Mike Montgomery, Clayton Richard and Rob Zastryzny all got the ball in various situations.

But opening 2017, the Cubs carried just one left-handed reliever in Montgomery, who lost out on the final spot in the rotation to Brett Anderson. Chapman went back to the Yankees on a mega-deal, Wood headed to the Kansas City Royals and Richard signed with the Padres.

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Zastryzny opened the campaign with Triple-A Iowa after making eight appearances with the Cubs last season. Duensing, who struggled this spring, started the regular season on the disabled list, but joined the team ahead of Friday’s series opener against Pittsburgh.

The southpaw pitched a scoreless seventh for Chicago, inducing a pair of groundouts and a strikeout of Josh Harrison. With a smooth outing under his belt, Duensing was hoping to focus on improving and getting familiar with his new surroundings.

"“I got a tour, but I don’t even know where I’m at right now, to be honest. I need to go the bathroom, but I don’t know if I can find it,” Duensing told MLB.com Friday morning. “This is incredible. Incredible facility and clubhouse and all the bells and whistles.”"

But the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense had other plans. Pitching for the second-straight day Saturday, Duensing got roughed up, surrendering three runs on three hits in just an inning of work. In the very small sample size, his earned run average skyrocketed north to 13.50 on the young season.

Duensing, Montgomery will be key pieces

The man who recorded the final out of the World Series has appeared in 40 percent of the team’s games so far, which, makes sense, given the situation. Joe Maddon didn’t have another left-handed option.

That, coupled with the fact Montgomery has been stretched out as a starter, makes it easier for Maddon to go to him multiple times in one series. Control issues popped up early (1.20 K/BB ratio) but given he’s never been a big strikeout guy, that figure isn’t too far out of the norm.

Since transitioning from a starter to a full-time reliever, Duensing hasn’t exactly been lights-out. His ERA from 2013 to 2016 comes in at 3.86, to go along with a 1.382 WHIP and 4.20 FIP. It’s hard to imagine him as this team’s fireman – but, then again, we’ve seen Chris Bosio work some wonders in the past.

Still, if he can provide middle-relief help for the Cubs, Montgomery could be used more efficiently rather than being a straight innings-eater. The two lefties could bridge the gap to Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon and closer Wade Davis.

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It’s a group that certainly shows a great deal of promise. But, as it always does, it’ll all come down to execution and health.

"“I get the vibe that they’re going to do it again, but not in like a cocky or braggy way,” Duensing said. “Just, we’re going to go out here and we’re going to have fun, we’re going to take care of business and we’re going to have fun doing it.”"