David Banks/AP
The Cubs bullpen put together an up and down first half as winding as the offense’s performance. But as relievers have returned from the injured list, with the help of some deep starts from the Cubs rotation, the bullpen has turned into a recent strength.
It entered Monday with a major-league best 1.09 ERA over the past 20 games. Then it got more good news.
The Cubs activated high-leverage reliever Julian Merryweather from the 60-day IL on Monday. The right-hander had been out since early April with a rib stress fracture.