Cubs act quickly to end nightmare bullpen project that was going off the rails

In the aftermath of the meniscus injury to Matthew Boyd, the Chicago Cubs have continued to shuffle parts around on their pitching staff. Ahead of Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, the Cubs have designated veteran relief pitcher Corbin Martin for assignment while recalling Gavin Hollowell.

The hope from the Cubs during the offseason was that Martin would turn into their next bullpen success story. A trend they perfected last season when they converted Brad Keller into a high-leverage option in the bullpen as he signed with the team as a reclamation project.

Injuries across the pitching staff may have forced the Cubs' hand with regard to the plan for Martin. He checked the box of being an available pitcher with major league experience during a time the Cubs had several pitchers on the IL.

Pitching injuries are still the theme of the Cubs' season, especially after Boyd's surgery, but Martin wasn't an effective option out of the bullpen. After stacking four scoreless outings to start his tenure with the Cubs, there's been some clear regression over his last three outings.

Most notably, Martin wasn't throwing competitive pitches against the Reds in a save situation on Wednesday night. He was tagged for three runs on three hits while failing to record an out. In the moment, it felt like the beginning of the end for Martin's time in Chicago.

If not Corbin Martin, Ryan Rolison?

While the Martin experiment failed, the Cubs are seeing some encouraging results from Ryan Rolison through his early run out of the bullpen. Rolison has a 3.12 ERA through his first eight appearances for the Cubs this season, and is striking out over 31% of the hitters he's faced. Things certainly could change, but for now, the Cubs are going to ride the hot hand in the bullpen as they wait for the pitching staff to get healthy.

Hollowell is the latest to walk through the revolving door that has been the Cubs' bullpen this season. He's largely been used as an up-and-down arm for the Cubs over the last two years, but demonstrated some impressive swing-and-miss results during spring training this year. He struck out over 12 of the 27 batters he faced.

Relying on internal depth continues to be the plan for the Cubs. At least until Jed Hoyer and Co. can start having trade conversations of consequence.

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