On a day when all the attention was given to Kris Bryant, who many hope can be the franchise's biggest piece for the foreseeable future, one of the most important pieces of the Cubs' bullpen headed to the disabled list.
Setup man Neil Ramirez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation ahead of Friday's game against the San Diego Padres.
Cubs president Theo Epstein reported that the news on Ramirez was much better than it could have been.
"All things considered, we got really good news on Ramirez yesterday," Epstein said Friday. "The MRI showed no structural damage, just some inflammation in the back of his shoulder. That was a relief to Neil and to the organization. So he's going to take it slow and get back to full strength and then come back."
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Ramirez has appeared in five games this season, allowing just one hit and one run in three innings of work. He was stellar last year for the Cubs, posting a 1.44 ERA in 50 appearances.
This is Ramirez's second trip to the DL in his two seasons with the Cubs after spending time there last July and August with right triceps soreness. He also experienced a shoulder issue during his time in the Texas Rangers organization, before he came to the Cubs as part of the Matt Garza trade.
MLB
In additional roster moves Friday, the Cubs selected Bryant's contract, activated outfielder Chris Denorfia off the disabled list and placed third baseman Mike Olt — who has a hairline fracture in his right wrist — on the disabled list.