Overview
- The Cubs removed Milner from their 40-man roster and designated him for assignment during Friday’s series opener in Cincinnati, starting a short period when he can be traded or placed on waivers.
- Milner had been on the injured list since June 26 after emergency appendicitis and spent a rehab stint with Triple-A Iowa that began July 29 as the club neared its 30-day activation deadline.
- If another team claims Milner off waivers the Cubs will lose him for nothing, and if he clears waivers he can reject an outright assignment and opt for free agency because of his MLB service time.
- This season Milner is 1-0 with a 3.53 ERA in 38 appearances for Chicago and allowed three earned runs in 10.2 innings on his Triple-A rehab, including four scoreless outings to close that stint.
- The move reduces the Cubs’ left-handed bullpen depth behind Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Rolison and creates a window for other clubs to add a veteran southpaw before rosters are set for the postseason.