Merryweather worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and secure the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rockies. He struck out one.
Merryweather is now 2-for-3 in save opportunities this season, with both of his conversions coming in the last two weeks. The righty has apparently stepped in as Chicago's top option to close with Adbert Alzolay (forearm) out, and Mark Leiter has stayed in a setup role. Alzolay could return as soon as Tuesday, however, which would push Merryweather down the bullpen pecking order.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Possible waiver wire pickups
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If you play in the sort of league where relievers with a clearer claim to the closer role -- Tanner Scott, Ryan Helsley or Aroldis Chapman, for instance -- are still available, then there's no reason to bother with Julian Merryweather, a speculative fill-in for what may turn out to be a short-term injury. But for however long Adbert Alzolay is sidelined by a forearm strain (and he reportedly did begin playing catch this weekend), the hard-throwing Merryweather seems like the best bet to replace him on a Cubs team still fighting for a playoff spot. It's true Mark Leiter has been Alzolay's setup man most of the year, but he hasn't been getting as many whiffs lately and has seen his usage plummet. Merryweather, meanwhile, has a 1.42 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 12.4 K/9 in his past 23 appearances, collecting 10 holds and one save during that span.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Records first save of 2023
Rotowire
Merryweather worked around a walk to pitch a clean ninth inning and record the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.
Regular closer Adbert Alzolay pitched each of the last two days, so the Cubs turned to Merryweather instead Sunday. The righty did the job, recording his first save since he earned two of them with the Blue Jays back in 2021. Merryweather has been a pleasant surprise this season with a 3.18 ERA and 90 strikeouts across 65 innings out of Chicago's bullpen after he posted a 6.75 ERA for Toronto last year.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Earns fourth win
Rotowire
Merryweather (4-0) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win Saturday against the Blue Jays. He walked one and struck out two.
Through his first five appearances of the season, Merryweather had an unsightly 12.71 ERA. Since then, the righty has managed a 2.31 ERA across 46 appearances (46.2 innings). The strong, consistent play has made Merryweather a reliable relief option who typically pitches in front of closer Adbert Alzolay.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Off to rough start
Rotowire
Merryweather, who allowed two runs in an inning of work during Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, now has a 12.71 ERA this season.
Merryweather started the season with a dud, allowing five earned runs in his first appearance, and he's been scored on in two of his four outings since then. The righty should remain in a low-leverage role, and that plus his poor performance to date are keeping his fantasy value to a minimum.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: May have inside track on MLB role
Rotowire
Merryweather stands a decent chance of securing an Opening Day bullpen role with the Cubs, particularly because he's out of minor-league options, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Merryweather was claimed off waivers back in January, and he's now competing for a role with the Cubs in spring training. The righty struggled last season with a 6.75 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 26 games with the Blue Jays, so he'd likely slot in as a low-leverage option if he makes the team, putting him off the fantasy radar for the time being.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Scooped up by Cubs
Rotowire
The Cubs claimed Merryweather off waivers from the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Merryweather lost his spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster last week, when the team required a spot for the newly signed Brandon Belt. The right-hander struggled to a 6.75 ERA over 26.2 innings in 26 appearances last season while missing time with an oblique strain. He should battle for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen this spring.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Gets DFA'd by Blue Jays
Rotowire
Merryweather was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Merryweather has flashed plenty of upside at times out of the Blue Jays' bullpen, but he's ultimately had trouble with health and consistency with a career 5.64 ERA over parts of three seasons. The 31-year-old doesn't have any options left, which could affect his appeal on waivers.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Sent back to Buffalo
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Merryweather to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Since returning to the active roster Sept. 5 after a stint on the 60-day injured list due to an oblique strain, Merryweather turned in a 7.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 8.1 innings across his six appearances. The brunt of the damage came in Tuesday's 18-11 win in Philadelphia, where he recorded just two outs while surrendering five earned runs. The Blue Jays called up Foster Griffin from Triple-A to replace Merryweather in the bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Will open Game 1 of twin bill
Rotowire
Merryweather will work as an opener in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Alek Manoah was scheduled to start Tuesday's opener, but for a yet-to-be-announced reason, Merryweather will get the ball instead. Merryweather almost certainly will not be out there long enough to qualify for a win, but he could work more than a lone frame, as he recorded at least five outs in both of his last two appearances out of the bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Comes off IL
Rotowire
Merryweather (oblique) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
Merryweather was sidelined since June 13 due to a left oblique strain and spent the last month in the minors on a rehab assignment. The right-hander gave up a run (zero earned) on three hits and five walks while striking out 15 in 10.2 innings over 10 rehab appearances and will be available out of the bullpen for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Merryweather (oblique) began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, striking out two over a scoreless inning in his first appearance.
Merryweather is on the comeback trail after he had been sidelined since June 13 with a left oblique strain. After being moved to the 60-day injured list, Merryweather won't be eligible for activation until the middle of August, so he'll likely make at least a few more appearances in the minors before slotting back into the Toronto bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Transferred to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Merryweather (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Merryweather was placed on the injured list June 14 and labeled as week-to-week. The right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to rejoin the Blue Jays, but he'll be unavailable until at least mid-August after shifting to the 60-day IL.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Deemed week-to-week
Rotowire
Merryweather was diagnosed Wednesday with a left oblique strain and is considered week-to-week, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
Merryweather's injury was characterized as an abdominal strain when he was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, but the new diagnosis likely foreshadows a longer-term absence for the right-hander. After notching a pair of saves early in the 2021 campaign, Merryweather suffered a significant oblique strain that April and hasn't resembled the same dominant pitcher at any point since. Given that he's dealing with another side injury, the Blue Jays are likely to proceed slowly with his rehab program.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
Merryweather was recalled by the Blue Jays on Monday.
Merryweather was optioned in early May after posting a 6.94 ERA in 11.2 innings, though his 12:1 K:BB and 2.41 FIP told a very different story about his performance. He'll probably handle lower-leverage innings for now, but if his results start to reflect his underlying numbers he could move into a more important role.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Merryweather was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
Merryweather threw two scoreless innings in the afternoon portion of Saturday's doubleheader but will make way on the roster as the Blue Jays activate Ryan Borucki (finger) ahead of the nightcap. Merryweather had struggled prior to Saturday's outing, which was only enough to cut his season ERA to 6.94.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Pitching through knee issue
Rotowire
Merryweather is dealing with right knee discomfort but has been cleared to continue pitching, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Merryweather has picked up a pair of losses while giving up four earned runs in 4.2 innings so far this season. It's possible his knee is partly to blame for that performance. He'll continue pitching through it while wearing a brace.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Takes loss Sunday
Rotowire
Merryweather (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, giving up one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.
The Blue Jays headed into the fourth inning with a 6-1 lead, but Hyun-Jin Ryu (hamstring) struggled and eventually got lifted after being struck by a comebacker off the bat of Jonah Heim. Merryweather came in and gave up a double to Brad Miller to tie the game -- runs which went on Ryu's ledger -- and then a single to Corey Seager for what proved to be the winning run. The right-hander worked the sixth inning in his first appearance this season, and while he has significant strikeout upside, it appears as though Merryweather is not in the late-inning mix for Toronto right now.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Secures roster spot
Rotowire
Manager Charlie Montoyo said Tuesday that Merryweather will be part of the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Merryweather was touched up for six runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- over five innings during Grapefruit League play, but his solid performance at the big-league level the past two seasons on the rare occasions that he's been healthy was likely enough for him to earn his spot on the roster. That being said, Merryweather -- who scooped up the Jays' first two saves last season -- may have to settle for lower-leverage work to begin the 2022 campaign until he shows improved form. Jordan Romano is poised to enter the season as the Blue Jays' closer and should have a decent amount of job security after converting 23 of 24 save chances in 2021.
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Blue Jays' Julian Merryweather: Uneven results this spring
Rotowire
Merryweather has given up three home runs over five innings this spring, leading to a 10.80 ERA, but he's also posted a 6:1 K:BB.
His inability to keep the ball in the park is a little worrying after Merryweather served up four homers in 13 innings last year, but the strikeout numbers are encouraging and he was reported to be touching 98 mph with his fastball earlier in camp. If the right-hander can stay healthy, something he hasn't been able to do in his pro career, he should be a valuable setup man in front of Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano.
