Cubs News: Jorge López injury update, Julian Merryweather, and Jordan Wicks

One of the reasons why the Chicago Cubs have returned to being a part of the conversation in the National League wild card race is the success that the bullpen has had over the course of the past two months.

A large part of the success is due to the arrival of Jorge López. In 20 appearances since joining the Cubs, López has posted a 0.79 ERA. López has been nothing short of excellent while pitching out of the team's bullpen but there was some concern on Monday when the veteran relief pitcher suffered an apparent groin injury in his outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cubs are expected to provide an update on López on Friday night before the team begins their weekend series against the Washington Nationals. As of now, there remains a chance that López can avoid the injured list but he also hasn't appeared in a game since the injury.

Cubs News: Jorge Lopez, Julian Merryweather placed on IL, and Jordan Wicks

One relief pitcher who wasn't able to avoid a trip to the IL is right-handed relief pitcher Julian Merryweather. Merryweather was placed on the IL on Tuesday with right knee tendonitis. The Cubs haven't placed a timeline on when the reliever will be back but Craig Counsell did reveal the injury is something the veteran pitcher dealt with last week.

As we're talking about multiple injuries within the Cubs' bullpen, a reminder that the team can address the need with a waiver claim of Taylor Rogers.

The injuries in the bullpen may have created an easy opportunity for the Cubs to bring back Jordan Wicks. Wicks has been sidelined since before the All-Star break with an oblique injury but has been on a minor-league rehab assignment in recent weeks. In his start with the Iowa Cubs earlier this week, Wicks pitched 4.2 shutout innings while striking out 4.

Prior to the injury, it seemed that the original plan for Wicks was to pitch out of the bullpen. But with Ben Brown expected to remain on the IL for the remainder of the season and Kyle Hendricks remaining inconsistent, Wicks could slot back in the rotation with Hendricks moving back to the bullpen.