Cubs have painfully obvious roster move after struggling reliever's latest meltdown

Given the injuries in the bullpen, the Chicago Cubs' pitching staff will be a revolving door until the All-Star break. On Sunday alone, the Cubs seven different pitchers en route to a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. One reliever, however, likely earned a trip back to Triple-A Iowa.

Ethan Roberts was tasked with securing the save for the Cubs in the tenth inning of Sunday's win, and things came undone. Entering the game with a 4-1 lead, Roberts failed to record an out while giving up two runs on two hits and one walk.

Fortunately, and surprisingly, Jordan Wicks saved the day for the Cubs. As for Roberts, in the Cubs' efforts to get healthy (and effective) arms in the bullpen, it would seem that he will be a part of the next roster move that shuffles parts across the pitching staff.

Roberts is walking nearly 13% of the hitters he's facing this season, carrying an ERA of 4.21 in 23 appearances. With the Cubs pressed for arms, considering the doubleheader last Wednesday and no off days until Thursday, it made sense why Roberts was with the team during the weekend.

Cubs may turn to familiar face to replace Ethan Roberts in the bullpen

Upon his return to the Cubs' organization last week, Drew Pomeranz was assigned to Triple-A Iowa. Pomeranz pitched a scoreless inning for the I-Cubs on Sunday, striking out two of the four batters he faced. With Hoby Milner on the IL for the next several weeks, the Cubs need another lefty in the bullpen. Even with his save on Sunday, expecting Wicks to suddenly be that answer feels like a reach.

Of course, relying on Pomeranz to recapture the success he had last year in Chicago also feels like a reach. That being said, it's this form of throwing darts at the wall that the Cubs will need to know until their pitching gets healthy. The target date appears to be around the All-Star break. That's around the time Jameson Taillon should be back in the rotation, and there's updates of consequence for Daniel Palencia, Edward Cabrera, and Ben Brown.

Beyond Pomeranz, Aaron Bummer and Liam Hendriks continue to pitch in games with the Arizona Complex League. Those are two other names that figure to be a part of the bullpen mix by the end of the season.

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