The Chicago Cubs made a minor move on Tuesday by trading pitcher Michael Rucker to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. Chicago previously designated Rucker for assignment after signing Hector Neris to a one-year contract.
Rucker was an 11th-round draft pick by the Cubs in 2016 before being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 Rule 5 Draft. He never made an appearance for the Orioles and was therefore returned to the Cubs in March of 2020.
Once the Cubs officially signed Neris, Rucker was deemed the odd man out. The move to DFA Rucker helped clear room on the 40-man roster for a Cubs team that was in need of some dominant late-inning arms to pair with their ascending closer in Adbert Alzolay.
As he enters his age-30 season, Rucker will aim to find a home in a Phillies bullpen that finished just outside the top 10 in ERA last season.
