Cubs dig deep into depth chart for Brewers doubleheader gamble

With Cade Horton not making it out of the third inning of his start against the Milwaukee Brewers, the impression was that the Chicago Cubs may make a roster move for the remainder of the series to allow for a fresh arm to join the bullpen. That expectation was emphasized by the fact that Monday night's game turned into the two teams playing a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Gavin Hollowell was the 27th man on the Cubs' roster for Monday's scheduled doubleheader, and he pitched 2 innings at the end of the game. With Tuesday marking a chance for the Cubs to add a new 27th to their roster for the two games against the Brewers, the team brought back a forgotten face in Tom Cosgrove.

Brewers doubleheader exposes how thin Cubs pitching depth is

Technically, the Cubs will be entering Tuesday afternoon's game with only 26 players on the roster. Jameson Taillon is the scheduled starter for Tuesday night's game, so there won't be a corresponding move needed.

Near the start of the season, the Cubs sent cash considerations to the San Diego Padres for Cosgrove, who had minor-league options available. Short of two appearances with the Cubs' bullpen earlier this season, Cosgrove has spent the majority of the season in Triple-A Iowa. In 37 appearances with the I-Cubs, Cosgrove has an ERA of 4.89.

It's not an ideal situation for the Cubs to be in. Following a deadline where the Cubs did not get in on the frenzy that was high-leverage relief pitchers being moved and willingly sat out of the trade market for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, there are not many options currently available to the front office that should be viewed as an upgrade. That doesn't stop the front office from making a move, especially when there is a need for a fresh arm. Cosgrove is far from a savior, but in a series where the Cubs' pitching staff will be taxed, there were few better options.

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