Wesneski allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Tuesday.
Wesneski got through three innings with little trouble, but he gave up a solo home run to Shohei Ohtani in the fourth. Things got worse as Wesneski hit a batter and released a wild pitch in the fifth, and Brandon Hughes couldn't clean up the mess without surrendering the lead. Wesneski was initially set to pitch as a reliever following a two-week stint with Triple-A Iowa, but he'll likely be in the rotation for as long as Justin Steele (forearm) is out. Wesneski has a 4.72 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB over 47.2 innings through 10 outings (nine starts). He's tentatively lined up for a road start in San Francisco over the weekend.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Set to start Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Wesneski will start Tuesday's road game against the Angels.
As manager David Ross suggested over the weekend would be the case, Wesneski will end up re-entering the rotation as a replacement for Justin Steele (forearm), who was recently moved to the 15-day injured list. When Steele exited just three innings into his most recent start last Wednesday against the Rays, Wesneski came on in long relief and struck out four while allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks. Before making the relief appearance, Wesneski had started in each of his eight prior outings on the season with the Cubs, logging a 5.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB across 39.1 frames.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Likely to join rotation
Rotowire
Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Wesneski will likely replace Justin Steele (forearm) in the rotation while Steele is on the 15-day injured list, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Ross believes Steele will miss only two turns through the rotation. Wesneski opened the season as a starter for the Cubs, but the right-hander struggled to a 5.03 ERA before being demoted to Triple-A Iowa in mid-May. Wesneski has shown the ability to miss bats, but he'll be a risky fantasy streamer while he's a member of the rotation, and he doesn't look as though he'll be in line for a long-term appointment.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Pitches well in relief
Rotowire
Wesneski allowed one run on one hit across 3.2 innings of relief in Wednesday's loss to the Rays. He walked two and struck out four.
Wesneski entered in the fourth inning with starter Justin Steele departing with left forearm tightness. The former had just been recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and last pitched in an MLB game back on May 13, but he looked sharp nonetheless. It's unclear if Steele will have to miss time moving forward, though if he does, Wesneski would be a logical candidate to step into the rotation spot after making eight starts earlier in the year for the Cubs.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
Chicago recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Wesneski will return to the Cubs in a long relief role ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Rays. He was optioned to Iowa in mid-May after stumbling to a 5.03 ERA through his first 39.1 innings (eight starts) this season with Chicago.
The Cubs optioned Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski was a popular fantasy sleeper this spring, and while he had some good starts with the Cubs, he struggled with consistency in ultimately posting a 5.03 ERA and 28:9 K:BB over 39.1 innings covering eight starts. Kyle Hendricks (shoulder), could potentially take Wesneski's rotation spot later this week, although the Cubs' upcoming schedule gives them the option to go to a four-man rotation for a bit.
Wesneski (2-2) took the loss Saturday, surrendering seven runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and a walk over five innings as the Cubs were routed 11-1 by the Twins. He struck out five.
Alex Kirilloff's solo shot in the first inning set the tone for the Cubs' disastrous afternoon, as Wesneski served up multiple long balls for the first time since his opening start of the season. The right-hander has now been tagged for 10 homers in 39.1 innings, fueling a 5.03 ERA that doesn't match his otherwise decent 1.32 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB. He didn't have significant trouble keeping the ball in the park in the minors, so it's possible his luck will shift for the better as the campaign progresses, but his lack of dominance gives Wesneski little margin for error. His next outing will likely come on the road next weekend in Philadelphia.
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Posts another quality start
Rotowire
Wesneski allowed one run on five hits and no walks over six innings Sunday against the Marlins. He struck out six and did not factor into the decision.
Wesneski found himself with runners on the corners and one out in the opening frame before escaping with a 6-4-3 double play. He then went on to retire nine straight batters until Yuli Gurriel kicked off the fifth with a solo home run to left. Wesneski did allow a pair of singles in the inning as well but got out of it allowing just the one run. Sunday was his third consecutive outing allowing just a single run and his second start in a row going at least six innings. The 25-year-old now owns a 3.93 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB over 34.1 innings. He's projected to take the ball next in a road game against the Twins later in the week.
