5 Cubs players who potentially won’t be on the roster by May 1
By Tim Boyle
Michael Rucker will be fighting to keep his roster spot with the Cubs
There isn’t much working in favor of Michael Rucker to stick around. He doesn’t have much big-league experience. At 28 and with minor-league options left, this former Rule 5 Draft Pick from the Baltimore Orioles will have to prove himself more than maybe any other pitcher in whatever opportunities he can get if he’d like to remain with the Cubs past May 1.
Rucker was not particularly good last year in his first 28.1 big league innings. He gave Chicago a 6.99 ERA performance after getting roughed up a bit in Triple-A. A little late to blossom, we can think of him as a last line of defense for the Cubs right now.
By the time rosters shrink, we should have a clearer picture of how well Rucker performed in his battle to stay with the big league team. Because he is one of several relievers with minor league options yet also one of the older ones, his stint in Chicago could be very short-lived this year.
Rucker has not been an exceptional pitcher in the minor leagues either. He should be a favorite to join Rivas in Triple-A when the rosters does get smaller. However, there are three pitchers who could be fighting against him to remain with the major league club.