Latest Chicago Cubs injury highlights one downside of the team's bullpen construction

There is no question that the Chicago Cubs' bullpen, on paper, is dramatically improved from where it was at the end of the 2024 season.

The Cubs added an established closer in former Houston Astros' relief pitcher Ryan Pressly, while also adding another dependable veteran in Ryan Brasier. The Cubs even addressed their need for a left-handed relief pitcher in Caleb Thielbar.

With the moves that the Cubs have made, the floor of the bullpen has been raised to a point where it hasn't been in recent seasons. However, in constructing their bullpen, there is one flaw the Cubs are facing when it comes to roster management. As Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney point out, the Cubs don't have many relievers on their roster with minor-league options available.

That was the primary reason why Eli Morgan was optioned to Triple-A Iowa last Thursday. Despite having success with the Cleveland Guardians last offseason, and Craig Counsell already using Morgan in a high-leverage situation in the games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan, Morgan having minor-league options available made it inevitable that he would open the season in Triple-A Iowa. It likely won't be a long stay.

Beyond Morgan, the Cubs made a roster move on Saturday which, in theory, should open a spot on the 26-man roster for Brad Keller. Keller, a veteran in camp on non-roster invite, is expected to be on the Opening Day. In that expectation, the Cubs would need a corresponding move on the 40-man roster in addition to their 26-man roster.

The move that may have opened his spot on the 26-man roster is Tyson Miller being placed on IL with a hip injury. An injury is never a good thing but in this case, the silver lining is that it allows the Cubs punt a decision on Miller down the road. Miller is out of minor-league options and had been struggling during Cactus League play. Perhaps, the injury is what was causing the dip in Miller's velocity this spring.

Brad Keller's 26-man roster may have opened up following Tyson Miller injury

It feels inevitable that Keller will take Miller's spot on the 26-man roster. There would still need to be a corresponding move on the 40-man roster, and that may be resolved once the Cubs make the decision between Gage Workman and Vidal Bruján. Whoever the Cubs don't choose would be subject to losing a spot on the 40-man roster given their respective statuses.