Ryan Brasier Headed to IL with Hip Issue

The Cubs are placing righty Ryan Brasier on the injured list with a hip injury today, sources confirmed with CI. Brasier was acquired in February from the Dodgers for cash considerations, adding to the depth of what should be a strong bullpen.

The 37-year-old reliever has had a rough spring, posting an 8.31 ERA in 4.1 innings. He threw a clean inning against the Hanshin Tigers in Tokyo, retiring the side on 11 pitches, but then needed 30 pitches to get through a one-run frame against his old team a few days later. He was shelled by the Braves for three homers in his last outing of the spring, departing with four earned runs allowed and just one out recorded.

Brasier missed most of last season with a right calf strain before pitching into late October, so it’s possible this is some sort of lingering compensation injury. That would help to explain his struggles this spring as well. Getting Brasier healthy is important for this pitching staff, especially with Javier Assad still out and Tyson Miller headed to the IL with a hip issue of his own.

As a result of this move, changeup specialist Eli Morgan has been recalled and will be in the bullpen when the season restarts.