How Ethan Roberts’ drive – and his love for the Cubs – helped him get to the majors after a difficult road

But it was during this time that he developed a special bond with the Cubs training staff. The two sides grew to know each other better over the course of the process, and a bond was formed that assured Roberts that his lasting memories of his time in the major leagues would not be one of frustration.

But there’s another side to the game of baseball – the business side – that often ignores the human factor. When the Cubs faced a 40-man blockbuster last offseason, they decided not to sign Roberts, sending him into baseball’s no man’s land: with no team, needing medical attention to help him recover, and no guarantees about what his playing career would look like.

Fortunately for Roberts, the Cubs didn’t want to lose him and both sides worked on a minor league deal that brought him back and included an opt-out clause in mid-June.

“And the main reason I came back the first time was because I had been around those coaches all year,” Roberts said. “And they knew me as a player, they knew me as a person. That was easy. That was one of the reasons I came back in December.”

This spring, Roberts felt closer to the man he was when he made the Cubs’ roster after spring training in 2022. He was healthy, pitching well and playing on a team and organization he cared about and loved.

The right-hander never would have made the team out of training camp this year – it was too early in his recovery – but he knew he could return to game action this season. That happened in May, when he pitched a perfect inning in the Arizona Complex League. He made one more appearance at Double-A Tennessee before being traded to Triple-A Iowa on May 19.

The results were breathtaking.

A player who hadn’t pitched in a competitive game in over 2 years, Roberts threw 13.1 scoreless innings in 12 games at the highest minor league level. As his opt-out date approached in mid-June, however, Roberts began to feel some tension.

“I was more nervous about leaving than I was about being called up to the major leagues,” he said.

That’s because Roberts didn’t want to leave – he was drafted in the fourth round by the Cubs in 2018 and only knew one team, one place. He had built a special bond with many teammates and believed the team could still accomplish a lot.

“I know that once everything clicks together, something special is going to happen here very soon, and I want to be a part of it,” Roberts said. “I’m excited to see all these guys that I played with for five years. And I didn’t want to do it from the other side of the team’s bench.”

The Cubs’ relief staff was decimated by injuries all season, and as injuries piled up, performances declined, and Roberts continued to get no hits, it seemed only a matter of when, not if, he would make the team.

His wish came true a few weeks ago. Shortly before his exit, Roberts’ phone rang and on the other end of the line was assistant general manager Jared Banner, who informed him that the Cubs were adding him to their 40-man roster.

He would remain a Cub.

“I was excited,” Roberts said. “Super excited. Because I didn’t want to leave, brother. That’s all I know. And I know I can contribute, and I’m excited to do it.”

Nearly two weeks later, Roberts was informed that he would be joining the major league team and would be going to Milwaukee, of all places, to help the major league club.

“It’s unbelievable,” Roberts said with a chuckle. “My wife said the same thing. She said, ‘This is the last place you pitched, right?'”

In that locker room, Roberts shared a bullpen with veterans like David Robertson, Mychal Givens and Jesse Chavez in 2022. Chavez, a 17-year veteran, especially showed Roberts the ropes and what it takes to be successful in a major league bullpen.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re playing in the 8th inning of a close game or if you’re coming in after a starter to play three innings. It all counts,” Roberts said. “And the sooner you understand that, the sooner you can work toward the role you want.”

That’s exactly where Roberts is now. He’s willing to take on any role in the bullpen as long as it helps the team – and he’s delivering.

Roberts has pitched two scoreless innings in his first two appearances. It wasn’t perfect — he allowed two hits and two walks — but it’s a step in the right direction. And with manager Craig Counsell looking for reliable pitchers to use in situations where he can generate pressure, one solid outing after another can lead to those opportunities.

“That was one of the most important things about him: You have to know your role and be completely in control of the role you’re given,” he said. “Even if you don’t like it, change it. And you have to pitch well to change it.”

Roberts’ memories of the clubhouse at American Family Field won’t be filled with frustration or “what ifs” now. Instead, he hopes it’s the place where he can break through and show what he can be for the team he wanted to be a part of.

“You just have to trust that God’s plans will come to pass,” he said. “You have to trust that they will see what you can show them and what you have shown them. And I’m just glad that it worked out anyway. It’s exciting.”