The Cubs are selling left-hander Luke Little to the majors, stories Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register. Little isn’t on the 40-man roster however the Cubs have already got a emptiness there. A corresponding transfer can be required to get him onto the energetic roster.

It’s a belated birthday current for Little, who turned 23 years outdated only a week in the past. The ironically-named Little, listed at 6’8″ and 220 kilos, was chosen by the Cubs within the fourth spherical of the 2020 draft. He made an 11-inning skilled debut within the Advanced League in 2021 earlier than getting a bigger physique of labor after that.

He cut up 2022 between Single-A and Excessive-A, tossing 65 2/3 innings with a 2.47 earned run common. His 13.3% stroll fee was on the excessive facet however he paired that with an enormous 35.4% strikeout fee. This 12 months, he’s gone from Excessive-A to Double-A to Triple-A with a mixed 2.12 ERA in 63 2/3 frames. He’s nonetheless giving out walks at a excessive clip of 15.1% however is punching out 37.6% of batters confronted.

These sturdy outcomes have gotten the eye of prospect evaluators, with Baseball America presently rating him #19 within the Cubs’ system, highlighting his fastball velocity. He’ll now get an opportunity to strive his hand at getting main league hitters out and can be making his main league debut as quickly as he will get right into a recreation.

The membership hasn’t had a lot of a left-handed presence in its bullpen this 12 months. Brandon Hughes made 17 appearances earlier within the season however has been out of motion for a couple of months coping with a knee damage. Anthony Kay has an ERA of 6.35 in his 13 contests and is presently on non-compulsory task. That leaves Drew Smyly, who struggled within the rotation and bought bumped to the bullpen, because the membership’s solely southpaw reliever in the mean time.

Bringing Little as much as the massive leagues will give them another choice in that division as they enter the ultimate few weeks of the playoff race. Their 75-64 file places them 2.5 video games again of the Brewers within the Central and in possession of the second Nationwide League Wild Card spot.