Ryan Tepera only ended up on the Cubs’ active roster because of an injury. But the Cubs are fortunate that he did.
“I was wrong on that,” Cubs manager David Ross said of sending Tepera to the Cubs’ South Bend alternate site when the season began.
Tepera’s emergence as a trusted reliever is a perfect example of the evolution of the Cubs bullpen over the past two weeks. That is, after logging the worst ERA (9.64) and walk rate (21.1) in Major League Baseball during the first week of the season.
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“I’m looking for someone to get outs, throw strikes,” Ross said then.
Two weeks later, he’s found those relievers.
“I think guys are finding their role,” Ross said. “I think probably early on with the extra arms down there we had a chance to see some guys that I wanted to see in real live competition, and their stuff, and how they competed with it.”
Expanded rosters were a blessing and a curse for the Cubs, after speaking highly of their bullpen depth during summer camp.
With starting pitchers still ramping up their pitch counts, it made sense to carry extra relievers. The Cubs had 11 on their 30-man Opening Day roster. Tepera didn’t make the cut.
“I went with another guy and some stuff,” Ross said. “And Ryan Tepera has done nothing but prove himself and his worth here.”
Closer Craig Kimbrel’s four walks in 1/3 of an inning stood out, free passes were an issue pretty much across the board. per
Since then, the bullpen has undergone remodeling – both proactively and in response to injuries and roster contraction. Tepera and Colin Rea joined the group, as the Cubs put more emphasis on consistency than potential.
Entering Saturday’s game, the Cubs bullpen’s ERA had dropped from 9.64 to 6.10, and walk rate from 21.1 percent to 13.0.
“Guys are doing a phenomenal job and finding their roles,” Ross said, “and we’re communicating and trying to set them up for success. I think a lot of it has to do with my inexperience (as a manager) as well, and trying to navigate that as best I can.”
As for Tepera, the six-year veteran is among the Cubs most used relievers. Entering play Saturday he had made six appearances, second only to Jeremy Jeffress (7) and tied with Rowan Wick and Kyle Ryan.
Excluding Craig Kimbrel, who has been working through mechanical issues, the other eight relievers on the Cubs active roster entered Saturday’s game with a combined 3.86 ERA.
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