Cubs recall RHP Luke Farrell from Triple-A Iowa, RHP Justin Hancock optioned to Iowa Cubs
The Cubs made two more roster moves prior to the early start on Monday in Pittsburgh. As expected, RHP Luke Farrell was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. To make room on the active roster, RHP Justin Hancock was optioned to Iowa.
Farrell will be available for Monday’s game versus the Pirates, the first of three in Pittsburgh.
The 26-year-old Farrell joins the Cubs for the second time this season, as he went 1-2 with a 7.94 ERA (five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings) in six relief outings during his first stint. He has made five starts for Iowa this season, going 0-2 with a 4.94 ERA (13 earned runs in 23 2/3 innings). Farrell made his Major League debut last season with Kansas City before joining Cincinnati in August, combining to post no record with a 5.54 ERA (eight earned runs in 13 innings) in 10 appearances (one start) between the two stops. Farrell turned in a 2.61 ERA (three earned runs in 10 1/3 innings IP) in nine relief outings upon joining the Reds last year.
In 2017, Farrell went 8-6 with a 4.78 ERA (62 earned runs in 116 2/3 innings) in 22 appearances, all but two as a starter, between the Royals, Dodgers and Reds Triple-A affiliates last season. Overall, Farrell is 25-30 with three saves and a 4.45 ERA (259 earned runs in 524 innings) in 109 career minor league appearances, 89 as a starter.
Farrell is a native of Westlake, OH and was originally selected by the Royals in the sixth round of the 2013 Draft out of Northwestern University. He is the son of former major league manager John Farrell and the brother of Jeremy, the Cubs minor league infield coordinator, and Shane, a regional crosschecker for the Cubs.
Justin Hancock, 27, has posted no record and a 1.74 ERA (two earned runs in 10 1/3 innings) in seven relief appearances with the Cubs this year and has gone 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA (six earned runs in 14 1/3 innings) in 11 relief outings for Iowa this year.