Cubs activated LHP Brian Duensing from bereavement list … RHP Justin Hancock optioned to Triple-A Iowa
The Cubs activated left-handed pitcher Brian Duensing from the bereavement list prior to Friday’s game versus the Reds and optioned right-handed pitcher Justin Hancock to Triple-A Iowa.
Brian Duensing, 35, was placed on the bereavement list, June 18. He is 2-0 with one save and a 4.50 ERA (11 earned runs in 22 innings) in 31 relief appearances with the Cubs this season. The southpaw has not allowed a run in 25 of his 31 outings and ranks second on the team in relief appearances.
Signed as a free agent prior to the 2017 season, Duensing has gone 3-1 with one save and a 3.20 ERA (30 earned runs in 84 1/3 innings) in 99 outings with the Cubs, all in relief. He has gone 45-38 with three saves and a 4.02 ERA (334 earned runs in 747 innings) in 467-career appearances, including 61 starts, in 10 Major League seasons with the Twins (2009-15), Orioles (2016) and Cubs.
Justin Hancock, 27, was recalled for game two of the doubleheader, June 20 against the Dodgers, and did not allow a run in two appearances (1 2/3 innings) during his second stint with the club. He has allowed just two runs in 12.0 innings on the season, including eight-straight scoreless outings (10.1 IP). In 18 game with Iowa, he is 2-2 with a 4.57 ERA (11 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings), striking out 27 batters while walking just eight.