Chicago Cubs: Who is the next man up amid the bullpen turmoil?

In a whirlwind of misfortune, the Chicago Cubs bullpen has been bitten by the injury bug. With Craig Kimbrel hitting the injured list, and now Brandon Kintzler? The bullpen is looking for help.

The Major League Baseball season is grueling. One hundred sixty-two games covering seven months creates natural and unfortunate wear and tear to most teams. Unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs, this has been the case in recent weeks. With what feels like an insidious amount of injuries to the bullpen.

On Monday, the team officially announced the departure of Craig Kimbrel to the 10-day IL due to right knee inflammation. While this particular injury does not seem to be serious, Kimbrel did undergo a procedure a few seasons ago to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The situation needs to be monitored with the utmost urgency.

Currently, setup man Pedro Strop is also shelved due to neck tightness. While his IL stint is coming to a close, there is no guarantee he will be healthy enough to pitch. Strop has struggled this season, posting a 5.20 ERA in 32 games.

Now, after exiting last nights game after one inning, it has been reported Brandon Kintzler felt discomfort in his right pectoral muscle. (He later went on the 10-day IL) Steve Cishek could also be in trouble following his dismal performance versus the Oakland Athletics last night. Needless to say, the current status of the pen is very much up in the air.

Chicago Cubs: Dakota Mekkes, RHP

A former 10th round selection by the Cubs in 2016, Dakota Mekkes has been stellar leading up to this season. In just two seasons, Mekkes worked his way from the Rookie league to Triple-A Iowa, tearing up the competition.

Last season split between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, Mekkes posted a 1.17 ERA with an 11.9 K/9 rate in 53 2/3 innings and barely ever surrendered the long ball. This season has not been kind to Mekkes. He has struggled to a 4.69 ERA in 35 games, seeing a decline in his strikeouts and an uptick in his walks.

All that aside, however, Mekkes is someone who could and probably should also be considered as an option if Kintzler sees the IL, or if something were to happen with Cishek. In an end-of-season report from Michael Ernst at Cubs Den, he profiled how Mekkes’ fastball usually sits between 91-92 mph, but that Mekkes did manage to get it up to 95 mph when he needs. His delivery from the mound allows him to create a perception with his fastball, which can be effective at the next level.

As inconsistent as Mekkes has been in 2019, it could be time the Cubs brass decides to give him the opportunity in hopes he can carry what he’s done throughout his minor league career, to the next level.

Chicago Cubs: Brad Wieck, LHP

This one could surprise Cubs fans, and it makes sense. Brad Wieck is the newest member of the club after he was acquired at the deadline as part of the trade which sent Carl Edwards Jr. to San Diego.

Wieck is another big left-handed reliever. If you thought Mekkes was big, he has nothing on Wieck who stands 6’9″. Initially a selection of the New York Mets in 2014, Wieck has spent most of his professional career in San Diego until recently.

Wieck got his first taste of the big leagues last season, appearing in five games for the Padres in relief. While it was a minute seven-inning sample size, Wieck allowed just one run while posting an insane 41.7% strikeout rate.

His time with San Diego before the trade was not great on paper in the ERA department, as he carried a 6.35 ERA for Triple-A El Paso. He did, however, post a 46% strikeout rate and limited his walks. Wieck has now appeared in a couple of games for Iowa.

He is sporting a 3.38 ERA with a 1.93 FIP and 33.3% strikeout rate. While this is the unlikeliest of the three guys, his big arm could find its way for a short time back to the bigs. And hopefully, he can bring his nasty swing-and-miss stuff with him.

*Editor’s Note: This piece was written on 8/5 before Kintzler went on the IL and Strop came off of it.