The Cubs Reportedly Calling Up Former Top Prospect Eddie Butler

I could go deep into the metaphors to describe just how bad this Cubs rotation has been lately, but honestly, they don't deserve that much effort on my end. This rotation has been garbage as of late, particularly John Lackey and Brett Anderson, with the latter making his way to the DL after giving up five runs and exiting before the 1st inning ended.

#Cubs moves: Brett Anderson to DL with lower back strain. Justin Grimm back. Tommy La Stella is also up from AAA, Rob Z optioned to AAA.

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) May 7, 2017

And with that dismal performance, Anderson is heading to the DL and looks like he may be done in the Cubs rotation - unless the other options prove less trustworthy. Anderson's inflated 8.18 ERA likely meant he was going to find his way out of the rotation soon, but with him heading to the DL it opens the door for one of the Cubs younger arms in the minors. Rob Zastryzny's stay in Chicago was short lived, heading back to Triple-A Iowa after spending maybe two days (?) in Chicago, with INF Tommy La Stella and reliever Justin Grimm returning to the roster. However, it seems as if the Cubs envision another arm taking over the vacant rotation spot. The Des Moines Register's Tommy Birch tweeted about the possibility of RHP Eddie Butler coming to Chicago, the former top 25 prospect for the Rockies that the Cubs scooped via trade this offseason.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Eddie Butler's next start come with Chicago. Guessing he'll get the chance with Brett Anderson on the DL. #Cubs

— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) May 7, 2017

Along with Birch, Joe Maddon also mentioned Butler as a potential replacement earlier today.

Maddon says it's more than likely a DL situation with Anderson. Names Montgomery and Butler as options for the rotation

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) May 7, 2017

Of course, Mike Montgomery is an option but he is also the only proven long reliever the Cubs currently have, making him more valuable in the bullpen than in the rotation. Plus, Butler has been superb in Iowa this season.

In 5 stars, Butler has a 1.17 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 2.35 BB/9, with 17 strike outs, and is coming an excellent start on Saturday #Cubs

— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) May 7, 2017

Butler is also coming off an excellent outing on Saturday, allowing only four hits with six strikeouts while throwing six scoreless innings. The only concern for Butler right now is his low strikeout numbers, nothing too alarming but for a guy who has the "stuff" Butler has, it's strange. Regardless, expect Butler to be the man the Cubs tab as their fifth starter going forward.