Cubs Reliever Makes First Iowa Injury Rehab Appearance

The Chicago Cubs could have more bullpen reinforcements coming, depending upon the progress of Brad Boxberger.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Brad Boxberger threw his first injury rehab game at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday as the Cubs hosted the Louisville Bats.

Boxberger threw one inning for Iowa, coming on in relief in the seventh.

After getting Louisville’s Alejo Lopez to fly out, Matt Reynolds followed with a double to right field. He moved to third on Nick Martini’s ground out. Boxberger then walked Nick Senzel.

That led to Jason Vosler’s single, which scored Reynolds and moved Senzel to second base. Louisville’s Jhonny Pereda then grounded out to end the inning.

Boxberger gave up two hits and one run in one inning.

He was coming off two rehab appearances with the Cubs’ Arizona Complex League team. In two games with the ACL Cubs he pitched 1.1 innings, giving up three hits, two earned runs and striking out one. His second appearance was a scoreless, hitless inning of relief on Thursday.

Boxberger has been on the injured list since May 15 when the Cubs put him on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. On July 4, the Cubs transferred him to the 60-day injured list, as he needed more time to build up after the long layoff.

The long-time reliever is in his first season with the Cubs after stints with San Diego, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Miami and Milwaukee. Before his injury he was 0-1 with a 5.22 ERA in 17 games with 13 strikeouts and nine walks.

For his career, Boxberger has 501 career appearances with a 31-38 record and a 3.51 ERA. He has 577 strikeouts and 231 walks.

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