Hunter

Bigge

Bigge finished off the Rays’ second consecutive shutout in a masterful performance by their bullpen. His stuff is completely electric and he showed off his 99 MPH fastball, curveball, and slider in this one. While he’s always had all the tools, this was his first save or hold of his young career. It seems like he’ll get a shot in this high-leverage role over the final week of the season.

Bigge, who came over from the Cubs at the trade deadline as part of the Isaac Paredes swap, returns to the big leagues ahead of Saturday’s contest against the Padres. The 26-year-old rookie right-hander has made four scoreless appearances for the Rays at the highest level.

Bigge has tossed four scoreless innings over four appearances for Tampa Bay after being picked up earlier this month from the Cubs at the trade deadline as part of the Isaac Paredes haul. The 26-year-old has minor league options left, so he was the easy move to get southpaw Richard Lovelady back from the injured list.

It’ll be the 26-year-old right-hander’s third appearance with the Rays this season, but his first time working as a starter. Expect him to work an inning — or perhaps into the second — before turning the ball over to a bulk reliever like Tyler Alexander.

The 26-year-old right-hander broke through and made his big-league debut this season, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 5/2 K/B ratio across 3 1/3 innings in four appearances with the Cubs. The Rays could have him jump right into their bullpen, or they could stash him as extra depth at Triple-A Durham for the time being.

Mark Feinsand reports that Christopher Morel and two prospects will head to Tampa Bay in the trade, and Ken Rosenthal noting those prospects will be right-handed pitchers Ty Johnson and Hunter Bigge . This will be a return for Paredes to the Cubs, as it was his original organization before being traded to the Tigers. The 25-year-old has been one of the most productive third baseman in the sport as of late with 47 homers over his last two seasons including 16 this year with a .792 OPS. He should play every day at third, and provide Chicago with a middle-of-the-order option.

Bigge has made a nice impression in two brief stints with the Cubs, allowing one run and striking out five in 3 1/3 innings, but the team this far has been unwilling to cut an out-of-options reliever in order to keep him around.

With Hayden Wesneski (shoulder) landing on the injured list on Saturday, Bigge will get to return to the big-league bullpen despite being optioned on Sunday. He has pitched decently in his limited action with the Cubs this year, allowing just one run over 2 1/3 innings over his three appearances.

Bigge will head down with Javier Assad remaining on the active roster. The 26-year-old allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings over three appearances after his promotion last week.

Bigge, 26, has been sensational in Iowa with a 0.77 ERA and 19/6 K/BB, but it has come in just 11 2/3 innings of work. The 26-year-old is replacing Colten Brewer, as Brewer punched a wall and fractured his left hand. Bigge will likely work in the mid-to-late innings, but has the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever for a team that could use a good high-leverage reliever.