​Why Cubs have massive bullpen problem before MLB postseason originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Chicago Cubs have less than two weeks to figure out their bullpen woes. They’re doing their best to attempt to put the puzzle pieces together, but the results haven’t been pretty thus far. Right-hander Edward Cabrera was moved to the bullpen after his return from the injured list on Saturday, but his first outing did not go smoothly. He began the season in the rotation but struggled to gain momentum due to multiple injuries. “The Cubs acquired Edward Cabrera over the offseason believing he could be a difference-maker for them atop their rotation. But he put up a 5.68 ERA in 15 starts, while working around blister issues and adductor and hamstring strains,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez wrote. Including Tuesday’s outing, Cabrera has made just three appearances as a reliever in his six-year career. “When the Cubs activated him off the IL on Saturday, they put him in the bullpen, hoping he could be a weapon late in games similar to the way Roki Sasaki was for the Dodgers last October,” Gonzalez added. “But Cabrera proceeded to serve up a two-run homer in the ninth inning of the Cubs’ loss to the Braves on Tuesday night.” MORE: MLB insider accuses Shohei Ohtani of misleading Dodgers about injury issuesThe Cubs may also be concerned about Jacob Webb, who has allowed at least two runs in three of his last five outings. Chicago’s bullpen needs to help bridge the gap between the starter and closer Daniel Palencia. At the moment, figuring out which relievers are best to be on the postseason roster should be a top priority for the Cubs. More MLB news:Tatsuya Imai predicted not to opt out of $36M Astros contractPhillies’ Jesus Luzardo on track to be best road pitcher in MLB history since 1913Why Braves could trade Spencer Strider this upcoming offseasonMariners not likely to pick up $9M option on Victor Robles this offseasonBrewers’ Jacob Misiorowski makes all kinds of MLB history with 1,000 pitches of 100 mph