MILWAUKEE — The Cubs reinstated reliever Manuel Rodriguez from the 60-day injured list Friday at the end of a four-month rehab for a strained right elbow. The Cubs will continue to monitor his build-up in the big leagues.
‘‘First of all, I want to show that I’m 100% healthy,’’ Rodriguez said through an interpreter. ‘‘Once I do that, I just want to show that I belong, that I can be here with the team, that I can be out there whenever they need me and that I can stick with the team and stay here for the rest of the season.’’
To make room on the active roster, the Cubs optioned reliever Kervin Castro to Triple-A Iowa and transferred right-hander Alec Mills (strained lower back) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. Mills already has been on the injured list for almost eight weeks. Manager David Ross said he didn’t have a timetable for Mills’ return.
Rodriguez joined the big-league squad for the first time this season after beginning the year at Triple-A Iowa. He earned the save in the Cubs’ 4-3, 10-inning victory against the Brewers, allowing an unearned run in the 10th inning.
Ian Happ powered the offense with a pair of go-ahead home runs, including the go-ahead shot to lead off the 10th.
Happ on his pair of go-ahead homers, the Cubs' only hits of the game:
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) August 27, 2022
"To come through in those situations is awesome -- for the group, for the team, for the pitching staff that did such a good job keeping us in it the whole day. It's really cool. ...
Rodriguez got his first taste of the majors last season, when he posted a 6.11 ERA in 20 outings.
‘‘He’s a guy that has had some success,’’ Ross said. ‘‘He had some bumps in the road last year and put himself on the map. Throws hard, [he’ll] continue to develop as a pitcher. And the fact that he’s healthy now and back here, we’re all really excited about it.’’
Rodriguez rehabbed at the Cubs’ spring-training complex in Mesa and appeared in two Arizona Complex League games before his rehab assignment at Iowa. He worked alongside right-hander Adbert Alzolay (strained right shoulder) in Arizona.
‘‘It was a really good experience to be able to go through that with him,’’ Rodriguez said. ‘‘I think that Adbert really helped me out with how he prepares, his work ethic and how with every pitch that he’s throwing he’s trying to dominate and know where he’s placing it and what he’s doing. So I think that helped me, and I think I’m going to take that now that I’m here in the big leagues.’’
Justin Steele said he felt tightness in his back on the last warmup pitch before the 6th inning. "I adjusted the way I was throwing a little bit just to throw some strikes. But the coaches could tell something was going on." Cubs didn't see a need to push it.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) August 27, 2022
NOTE: Cubs left-hander Justin Steele left the game with tightness in his lower back, the team announced. After the game, manager David Ross downplayed the severity of the injury. Steele held the Brewers to one run in 5 1/3 innings.
