Talk about a head-scratcher, man. The Chicago Cubs just straight-up released left-handed pitcher Hoby Milner, and get this: the dude had a 3.53 ERA in the big leagues this year. And they did it right before kicking off a monster 10-day stretch where they play the Milwaukee Brewers *seven times*! This run is gonna decide if they can even win their division, no joke.
Milner’s Wild Ride Back to the Mound
Milner’s been through it this season. He got put on the injured list with appendicitis back on June 27, and he hadn’t even thrown a single pitch in a game since June 25. Talk about a tough break for a guy! But he was busting his butt to get back. They sent him on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Iowa on July 29, and he looked good. Seriously good. He threw in 10 games down there and rocked a 2.53 ERA. You’d think that’s a guy you want back on your big-league club, right?
An “Odd Choice” With Everything on the Line
Yet, at the end of that rehab, the Cubs designated him for assignment. He cleared waivers, so now he’s a free agent, able to sign anywhere. But let’s be real, with the Cubs struggling on the mound, cutting a solid arm like Milner, who they signed just last winter as a free agent, feels like a really odd move. This isn’t some scrub we’re talking about either. Last year with the Texas Rangers, he had a 3.84 ERA over 73 games. Yeah, his strikeouts were down a bit this year, but he was still pitching well enough to be on a major league roster. And get this: his *best* season ever was with the Brewers in 2023, where he posted a ridiculous 1.82 ERA in 73 outings. What are the Cubs thinking, letting that kind of potential walk?
So now, the Cubs are heading into this absolutely massive series against the Brewers starting Monday at Wrigley Field, with their division hopes on the line. They just said goodbye to a guy who, despite an injury, had a 3.53 ERA and was pitching well in Triple-A. You gotta wonder if this decision is gonna come back to bite them hard, especially with their pitching already having “woes.” Man, this Brewers series just got even spicier!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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