Cubs Reliever Struggles at Iowa

Chicago Cubs pitcher Brad Boxberger suffered a statistical setback in his second injury rehab game at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday as the Cubs faced Indianapolis.

Boxberger went an inning for Iowa on Sunday, giving up two hits and one run while walking one.

On Tuesday, Boxberger wasn’t able to throw one complete inning.

Boxberger came into the game in the eighth with a clean slate but immediately walked Nick Gonzalez. After that, Miguel Andujar doubled and Gonzalez moved to third base.

Boxberger then struck out Malcom Nunez but had less luck against Domingo Leyba. He singled to right field, scoring Gonzalez and Andujar to put Indianapolis up, 10-4.

That was it for Boxberger, as he was replaced by Cam Sanders.

He was credited with just 0.1 innings of work, giving up two hits, two earned runs and a walk. He also struck out one.

Boxberger joined Iowa last week after two rehab appearances with the Cubs’ Arizona Complex League team. In two games with the ACL Cubs he pitched 1.1 innings, giving up three hits, two earned runs and striking out one. His second appearance was a scoreless, hitless inning of relief on Thursday.

Boxberger has been on the injured list since May 15 when the Cubs put him on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain. On July 4, the Cubs transferred him to the 60-day injured list, as he needed more time to build up after the long layoff.

The long-time reliever is in his first season with the Cubs after stints with San Diego, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Miami and Milwaukee. Before his injury he was 0-1 with a 5.22 ERA in 17 games with 13 strikeouts and nine walks.

For his career, Boxberger has 501 career appearances with a 31-38 record and a 3.51 ERA. He has 577 strikeouts and 231 walks.