2 candidates to replace Jose Cuas in the Chicago Cubs bullpen

It's been a struggle to start the season for Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jose Cuas.

Cuas was acquired by the Cubs at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline last season and it hasn't helped matters that the outfield prospect that the North Siders sent to the Kansas City Royals for the relief pitcher, Nelson Velazquez, is currently thriving.

Cuas' struggles this season have been heightened by the fact that Julian Merryweather will be sidelined for at least the next month while Adbert Alzolay and Hector Neris have struggled in late-inning situations.

In 5 appearances this season, Cuas has allowed 8 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks.

The final straw in terms of Cuas' struggles likely was this past Monday when the Cubs blew an 8-run lead against the San Diego Padres. Cuas entered a low-leverage situation but allowed 4 runs while only being able to record 1 out.

Given the struggles of the bullpen over the course of the past week, the question has been how long would the Cubs go before making a change. In past seasons, under David Ross, it's likely that the Cubs would have waited until the returns of Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon before making a change to their pitching staff.

That does not appear to be the case this season.

In a move that was logged on the Cubs' official transaction log on Thursday, Cuas was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs have yet to announce the corresponding roster move but there are two likely candidates.