HAYDEN WESNESKI NEWS

Cubs activate RHP Hayden Wesneski The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Hayden Wesneski from the 15-day injured list on Friday following his recovery from a right forearm s...

SEPTEMBER 20 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Activated from injured list The Cubs activated Wesneski (foreram) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Wesneski has been sidelined since late July with a right forearm strain but has been cleared to return after making four rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa. He's pegged for a multi-inning relief role with the Cubs down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing activation Wesneski (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 6 and has given up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven across five inning...

Impact After throwing two scoreless innings for Iowa on Tuesday, Wesneski could be on the cusp of an activation from the 15-day injured list. According to Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com, Wesneski was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse Wednesday, which suggests his rehab assignment has come to an end. Once he's formally reinstated, Wesneski will likely serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Set for live batting practice Wesneski (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact It will be Wesneski's first time facing hitters since he went down with a right forearm strain more than a month ago. The right-hander would appear to be closing in on a rehab assignment, with a return in early September likely. Wesneski holds a 3.94 ERA and 58:21 K:BB over 61.2 innings in a swingman role for the Cubs this season.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Completes bullpen Wesneski (forearm) threw a 25-pitch bullpen Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Wesneski has been rehabbing in Arizona from his strained right forearm and Tuesday's session marked his first mound work since being placed on the IL on July 20. The 26-year-old appears to be multiple weeks out from being reinstated from the injured list.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured list The Cubs placed Wesneski on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Wesneski pitched 1.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen during Friday's loss to Arizona, though he appears to have come away from his latest appearance with an injury. He'll be held out of action until at least August 4, and the Cubs will recall Hunter Bigge from Triple-A Iowa to fill the opening in their bullpen.

JULY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts back to bullpen Wesneski worked in relief of starter Justin Steele in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Diamondbacks, striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings while giving up one hit and no walks.

Impact Wesneski had started in each of his final four appearances before the All-Star break, but he looks to have lost his rotation spot to Javier Assad (forearm), who returned from the injured list July 13. The right-hander might have had a case for a more permanent stay in the rotation if he had performed well in his recent run as a starter, but he turned in a 5.59 ERA over those four outings.

JULY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts back to bullpen Wesneski worked in relief of starter Justin Steele in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Diamondbacks, striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings while giving up one hit and no walks.

Impact Wesneski had started in each of his final four appearances before the All-Star break, but he looks to have lost his rotation spot to Javier Assad (forearm), who returned from the injured list July 13. The right-handed Wesneski might have had a case for a more permanent stay in the rotation if he had performed well in his recent run as a starter, but he turned in a 5.59 ERA over those four outings.

JULY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Crushed by Cards Wesneski (3-6) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, surrendering 11 runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk over four innings. He stru...

Impact The right-hander's own errors during a nightmarish nine-run first inning prevented more damage to his ERA, but it was still a poor outing for Wesneski at the worst possible time, as it put extra pressure on the Cubs' bullpen ahead of the nightcap. In four starts since rejoining the rotation in late June, he's posted a 5.59 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB in 19.1 innings while serving up five homers, including a three-run blast by Alec Burleson on Saturday.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Hayden Wesneski leads way on the mound as Cubs blank Angels Hayden Wesneski pitched 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball and Michael Busch hit a two-run home run during the Chicago Cubs’ 5-0 win over the vis...

JULY 7 • SACBEE.COM

Excellent in win Wesneski (3-5) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 6.1 innings, earning the win Sunday over the Angels.

Impact Wesneski had allowed eight runs over nine innings across his previous two starts, but he took advantage of a favorable matchup Sunday to earn his first win since April 25. The right-hander is now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB through 56.1 innings over 23 appearances (six starts). Wesneski is likely to remain in the rotation as the Cubs continue to navigate a rough stretch of injuries, and he's tentatively projected for a road start in St. Louis his next time out.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Hayden Wesneski's pitching helps Cubs blank Angels Hayden Wesneski pitched 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball and Michael Busch hit a two-run home run during the Chicago Cubs’ 5-0 win over the vis...

JULY 7 • KANSASCITY.COM

Hayden Wesneski, Cubs blank Angels 5-0

Hayden Wesneski threw 6 1/3 innings, Michael Busch hit a two-run home run and the Chicago Cubs shut out the Los Angeles Angels

JULY 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes loss Tuesday Wesneski (2-5) took the loss Tuesday versus the Phillies, giving up five earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.

Impact Wesneski struggled heavily in what was just his second start since May 8, as his five runs allowed set a new season-high for the 26-year-old righty. Three of those runs came courtesy of Trea Turner, who hit a pair of home runs in the third and fifth frames. Wesneski has now surrendered eight earned runs in nine innings since returning to the Cubs' rotation. He's lined up to face the Angels on Sunday, and any starts beyond that point will likely depend on whether Javier Assad (forearm) is able to return from the IL.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Receiving start nod Wednesday Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wesneski will start Wednesday's game in San Francisco, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Wesneski has previously made three starts for the Cubs this season, though none have come since May 8. While he'll be available on four days' rest after having made his last relief appearance Friday, Wesneski probably isn't built up enough to handle a traditional starter's workload. The Cubs are likely to move Wesneski back to the bullpen following Wednesday's game, as he was merely added to the rotation this week to give left-hander Shota Imanaga an extra day of rest between starts.

JUNE 26 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Friday Wesneski (2-4) allowed a solo home run in an inning of relief work to take the loss Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact Wesneski allowed the first run of the game in the eighth inning, a solo shot by Pedro Pages, then got saddled with the loss as the Cubs got blanked 3-0. Despite the hiccup, the 26-year-old has been solid this season as he's settled into a relief role for Chicago, posting a 2.84 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 38 innings.

JUNE 14 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs' Brown holds Brewers hitless through 7 innings before Frelick singles in the 8th off Wesneski

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown held Milwaukee without a hit through the first seven innings before the Brewers’ Sal Frelick delivered a one-out single up the middle off...

MAY 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns another start Wesneski will start Wednesday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact The Cubs are getting Justin Steele (hamstring) back this week and Kyle Hendricks (back) could return next week, but Wesneski earned at least one more turn in the rotation. Wesneski blanked the Brewers over 6.1 innings while striking out eight Friday, marking the first time he has logged over four innings in the majors this season. He has a 0.54 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and a 14:3 K:BB in 16.2 innings across four appearances. Ben Brown could be the odd man out, unless the Cubs go with a six-man rotation this week.

MAY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Cubs optioned Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Wesneski struck out 12 over 11 innings this spring but also allowed 12 runs. The right-hander should join Iowa's rotation and could eventually help the Cubs either in a starting or relief role.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

May get sent to minors Wesneski may be squeezed off the Cubs' Opening Day roster with Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad both likely to secure roles, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Wicks is the current favorite to land the No. 5 spot in the rotation, while Assad will likely shift to a long-relief role. That could push Wesneski off the roster entirely, as it may be more beneficial for his development if he's starting regularly at Triple-A Iowa. The righty could have some fantasy upside if he pushes into Chicago's rotation at some point, though for now, his appeal is limited.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Has best spring start Wesneski tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians. He allowed two hits and struck out three.

Impact Wesneski started his spring slate allowing seven runs over three innings in his first two appearances. However, in two outings since then, the righty has allowed just one run across six innings. Wesneski is battling for a spot in the rotation, and with Jameson Taillon (back) possibly set to miss some time early in the season, the former may be able to climb up the depth chart temporarily.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Three innings in relief Wesneski allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over three innings in Friday's 8-0 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Wesneski mopped up after starter Kyle Hendricks allowed seven runs over four innings. The Cubs became buyers at the deadline, leaving Wesneski on the outside looking in at a rotation spot, at least for the time being. He threw 50 pitches Friday, with the lone blemish being a homer allowed to Austin Riley in the seventh inning.

AUGUST 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled for start Friday The Cubs recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa ahead of his start Friday against St. Louis, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Wesneski has been impressive in the majors this season, posting a 2.18 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 33 frames. If he's able to continue his impressive rookie campaign against the Cardinals on Friday, there's a solid chance Wesneski remains in the Cubs' rotation long-term. Michael Rucker was optioned to Iowa to clear a space for Wesneski.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Mooney: Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski will start... - The Athletic Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski will start tonight’s game at Busch Stadium. Michael Rucker was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

JULY 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Optioned to Triple-A Wesneski was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact Wesneski had been pitching in relief of late and faring well, allowing two runs over 10 innings. He'll head back to Iowa, though, and it's not clear what role is planned for him there.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE