ETHAN ROBERTS NEWS

Sent back to Iowa The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Roberts threw two scoreless innings and struck out three batters during a loss to the Cardinals in Game 1 of Saturday's twin bill, and he'll now be sent back to the minors between games. Daniel Palencia was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move.

JULY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Cubs The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact With Luke Little (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Roberts will return to the majors in order to fill the open spot in Chicago's bullpen. The 27-year-old hasn't surrendered an earned run in 19 total innings this season -- four of which came during his brief stint in the big leagues.

JULY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Iowa The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for Mark Leiter (forearm), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Roberts made three appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen since being called up from Iowa on June 28, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings. Roberts hasn't allowed an earned run over 13.1 innings in Triple-A this season, and the 27-year-old right-hander should be in line for another call-up this season should the Cubs need help in their bullpen.

JULY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected, sent to Triple-A Roberts had his contract selected by the Cubs on Sunday, but he will remain with Triple-A Iowa, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Impact Roberts was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster Sunday, replacing Jose Cuas after Cuas was designated for assignment. The right-hander has pitched 9.2 scoreless innings while striking out 13 batters over 10 appearances with Iowa this season and he could be on the cusp of joining the major-league roster.

JUNE 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes 2024 Triple-A debut Roberts (elbow) was reinstated from Triple-A Iowa's 7-day injured list Friday and debuted for the club Sunday, striking out one over a perfect inning of relief.

Impact Roberts, who re-signed with the Cubs on a minor-league deal in December, missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in July 2022. Though he was expected to be fully cleared in advance of spring training, Roberts opened the season on the 7-day injured list, though it's unclear if he was deactivated due to complications with his surgically repaired elbow or because of another issue. Whatever the case, Roberts was cleared to make his 2024 debut at the Triple-A level over the weekend after he made rehab appearances for the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate as well as Double-A Tennessee.

MAY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cut loose by Cubs Roberts (elbow) was non-tendered by the Cubs on Friday.

Impact Roberts underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2022 and did not pitch at any level in 2023, though he's expected to be fully recovered by the beginning of spring training in 2024. The 26-year-old right-hander should get a fresh start with a new organization.

NOVEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Full go heading into offseason Roberts (elbow) is expected to have a normal throwing progression this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Robert missed the entirety of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's now more than 15 months removed from the operation and will head into the winter with no restrictions. The 26-year-old reliever has the upside to be used in high-leverage spots for the Cubs in 2024 but will have to show he's healthy and that he has his stuff is back first.

OCTOBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to face hitters Roberts (elbow) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Roberts has finally received the green light to face hitters for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery July 13 of last year. He'll likely throw multiple live batting practice sessions before eventually heading out on an extended rehab assignment that will likely last close to the maximum 30 days. Barring any setbacks, Roberts still has a chance to make his return from the 60-day injured list before season's end, though the Cubs will most likely option him to Triple-A Iowa once he's activated.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for bullpen work Roberts (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Roberts, who is working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent July 13, 2022, recently finished up a "de-load" period of his throwing program in which he was limited to throwing off flat ground, according to MLB.com. The right-hander will start up the ramp-up process Tuesday with a side session, and he should gradually increase the frequency and intensity of his bullpen work over the next few weeks before progressing to facing hitters. Roberts still has a chance to pitch in games in 2023, though any appearances he makes will likely come in the minors rather than with the Cubs.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Closing in on mound work Roberts (elbow) progressed to throwing off flat ground from 105 feet before the end of spring training, MLB.com reports.

Impact The Cubs haven't provided any recent updates on Roberts within the past month, but unless he's suffered an unreported setback in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last July, he's presumably increased his throwing distance off flat ground over the last few weeks and could soon be ready to resume mound work. Given the timing of his elbow procedure, Roberts may face an uphill battle to get back in a minor-league rehab game before the end of the season, but he should be fully cleared ahead of next year's spring training.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

#TheHobby Life: Cubs rookie Ethan Roberts chases his Topps rainbow during Tommy John rehab Turns out, it was the real Ethan Roberts who messaged me on eBay.

MARCH 13, 2023 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Placed on 60-day IL Roberts (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Cubs on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact This clears a spot on the 40-man roster, which needed an opening after the Cubs signed Edwin Rios on Friday to a one-year deal. Roberts is going to miss the overwhelming majority of 2023 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, and there's a decent chance he won't be able to pitch this season.

FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Begins throwing program Roberts (elbow) has started a throwing program, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Roberts posted a video of him throwing at the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in July, and he's expected to miss most -- if not all -- of the 2023 season while recovering.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes successful surgery Roberts (shoulder) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Roberts sustained his right elbow injury during a rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa in late June and will be unavailable for the remainder of the 2022 season and most or all of the 2023 campaign following Wednesday's procedure. The 25-year-old made his major-league debut in 2022 and posted an 8.22 ERA and 2.09 WHIP in 7.2 innings over nine relief appearances.

JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Requires Tommy John surgery Roberts (shoulder) will require season-ending Tommy John surgery after sustaining a right elbow injury during his rehab appearance Sunday at Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the...

Impact Roberts had been on the injured list since the beginning of May due to right shoulder inflammation, but he finally appeared to have put the injury behind him when the Cubs cleared him to go on the rehab assignment last weekend. Ultimately, Roberts faced only one hitter at Iowa before succumbing to a more serious injury that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the 2022 season and most, if not all, of the 2023 campaign. The Cubs haven't yet scheduled Roberts' surgery, but he'll presumably go under the knife within the next week or two.

JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves early in rehab outing Roberts exited four pitches into his rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Iowa after suffering an apparent aggravation of his right shoulder injury, Alex Cohen of Marquee Sports N...

Impact Roberts retired one batter before calling for the training staff and exiting the rehab appearance, which was his first since landing on the 10-day injured list May 1 before he was later moved to the 60-day IL. The Cubs should provide further word on the extent of Roberts' setback in the days to come, but he no longer looks on track to be activated when first eligible in the final week of June.

JUNE 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting rehab stint Robets (shoulder) will report to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Roberts recently threw a session of live batting practice, which was the final hurdling before heading to the minors for game action. The 24-year-old has been sidelined by shoulder inflammation since late April, so he'll likely require at least a couple appearances with Iowa before being reinstated to the big-league roster.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Shifted to 60-day IL Roberts (shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Roberts recently began a throwing program May 14, but he will now have to wait until late June to return from the shoulder injury. The move to the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Matt Swarmer, whose contract was selected Monday.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins throwing program Roberts (shoulder) began a throwing program Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Roberts has been on the injured list for two weeks due to right shoulder inflammation, but it's encouraging to see him resume throwing. He doesn't yet have a timetable to return to game action. Roberts isn't guaranteed a spot on the major-league roster once he's healthy.

MAY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

A banged-up Willson Contreras is day to day for the Cubs, while shoulder inflammation sidelines reliever Ethan Roberts The Chicago Cubs are being cautious with catcher Willson Contreras. After a day off Monday, Contreras was not in Tuesday’ s lineup against t...

MAY 4, 2022 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

A banged-up Willson Contreras is day to day for the Cubs, while shoulder inflammation sidelines reliever Ethan Roberts The Chicago Cubs are being cautious with catcher Willson Contreras. After a day off Monday, Contreras was not in Tuesday’ s lineup against t...

MAY 4, 2022 • DENVERPOST.COM

A banged-up Willson Contreras is day to day, while the Chicago Cubs put reliever Ethan Roberts on the injured list Willson Contreras was not in the Chicago Cubs lineup Tuesday against the White Sox. He is banged up but it’s “nothing serious,” manager Davi...

MAY 3, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Placed on 10-day IL Roberts was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation Sunday, retroactive to April 30, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Roberts struggled recently, as he posted an 11.81 ERA and 2.86 WHIP in 5.1 innings over his last six appearances, and he'll now be placed on the 10-day IL as part of a move to trim the Cubs' active roster to 26 players. Although the right-hander's injury may have contributed to his lackluster performance, it's possible he's sent to Triple-A Iowa once he's healthy.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles Thursday Roberts allowed three runs on four hits in an inning of relief work during Thursday's loss to Atlanta. He struck out two.

Impact Roberts didn't take the loss, as he entered the contest in the eighth inning with the Cubs already trailing, but he didn't help keep his team in the game, either. The righty has nine strikeouts through seven innings this season, but he's otherwise struggled with a 7.71 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. Roberts should remain in a lower-leverage role until he shows a bit more consistency on the mound.

APRIL 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pitches well Tuesday Roberts struck out the side in a perfect inning of relief during Tuesday's loss to Atlanta.

Impact Coming on for Marcus Stroman in the seventh inning, Roberts mowed down three Atlanta hitters on 17 pitches. The righty has a 4.50 ERA and seven strikeouts across six innings of work this season, though he also has five walks. If Roberts can cut down on the free passes, he has the swing-and-miss stuff to put up solid numbers, though he's not really in the mix for saves at this point.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE