Cubs send Michael Rucker to the Phillies for cash
After being DFA’d (Designated For Assignment) by the Chicago Cubs last Thursday, right-hander Michael Rucker was sent in a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.
Signing relief arm Hector Neris on Jan. 27, the Cubs were forced to make space on their 40-man roster. With the Cubs bullpen nearly solidified, Michael Rucker, a familiar face to most Cubs fans, was unfortunately the man who missed the cut.
The nearly 30-year-old Rucker has been with the Cubs since being drafted by them in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft from Brigham Young University. He was finally called up to the majors in July of 2021, following the Cubs’ historic sell-off. He pitched in 20 games to finish off the season. Since then, he has bounced back and forth between the big-league club and Triple-A, never really finding his groove on the big stage. In 123.1 major league innings pitched, Rucker holds a 4.96 ERA (Earned Run Average) but does have 120 strikeouts in that same span. Under the correct circumstances and with the right guidance, Rucker could be turned into a reliable middle-relief guy.
Photo Credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo, Getty Images
Going into the 2023 season, the Phillies prioritized their bullpen as it had been a weak spot all of 2022, including in the World Series against the Houston Astros. With the signings of Matt Strahm and Craig Kimbrel as well as the trade for southpaw Gregory Soto, the Phillies saw a serious uptick in production out of the bullpen just a season later. However, with the usual wear and tear of the offseason, some new moves were necessary to prepare for the 2024 season. Although not overly groundbreaking, acquiring Michael Rucker was one of these strategic additions.
Photo Credit: John Adams, Icon Sportswire
Rucker, known for his versatility and resilience, brings more depth to the bullpen. His ability to pitch in multiple roles—whether as middle relief, a setup man, or even spot starting—provides the Phillies with flexibility and an experienced arm to navigate through the long season. At the very least, this provides competition for other relievers to try to earn their spot. With Rucker having one minor-league option left, the Phillies will have some flexibility with him. This move, while not making headlines, could prove pivotal in strengthening their bullpen's overall performance and durability.
To accommodate Michael Rucker on the 40-man roster, the Phillies had to make the tough call of designating right-handed pitcher Andrew Bellatti for assignment.
While the cash considerations the Cubs received from the Phillies for Michael Rucker might not be a game-changer, it is certainly better than nothing as Rucker was set to be released in a few days. Cubs fans will certainly miss Michael Rucker’s familiar face but should be happy seeing him get another opportunity and wish him all the best on this next endeavor.
