James Bourque RP FA Thu 4/1/21 3:05 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque wasn't included on the Cubs' Opening Day roster.
EDGE Analysis
Bourque was healthy for most of camp after missing the end of the 2020 season due to an elbow strain. However, he didn't appear in any spring games and was unable to break camp with the team. The right-hander should serve as organizational depth in 2021.
James Bourque RP FA Sat 3/6/21 11:31 AM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bourque missed the end of the 2020 season due to an elbow strain, but he'll participate in a throwing session Saturday. The right-hander hasn't yet made his spring debut, but he'll compete for a spot on the major-league roster during camp as long as he's fully healthy.
James Bourque RP FA Fri 12/18/20 11:30 AM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque (elbow) signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs which includes an invitation to spring training Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 27-year-old righty has made a total of seven relief appearances in his big-league career, giving up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings while striking out one batter and walking seven. His 2020 campaign ended prematurely due an elbow strain, though it's not clear whether or not that will affect him heading into spring training. His profile certainly doesn't suggest he's a favorite to earn a role on the Opening Day roster, especially as he also owns a poor 5.56 ERA in 43.2 innings at the Triple-A level.
James Bourque RP FA Tue 10/13/20 5:23 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque (elbow) cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bourque suffered an elbow strain late in the season. He threw just four innings prior to the injury, allowing three runs while striking out one batter and walking five. Now that he's off the 40-man roster, he'll have a tougher path to his next big-league appearance once healthy.
James Bourque RP FA Mon 9/21/20 5:17 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow strain Monday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bourque is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday that could help determine the severity of his injury ahead of the offseason. He'll be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season as a result of his elbow issue. Paolo Espino's contract was selected by the Nationals in a corresponding move.
James Bourque RP FA Mon 9/21/20 3:54 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque (arm) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Nationals are still looking to get a firm diagnosis on Bourque's injury after he exited the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Marlins due to right arm tightness. Even if the MRI returns negative, Bourque could still be shut down for the season as a precaution. He's made six low-leverage appearances out of the bullpen in 2020, giving up three earned runs in four innings.
James Bourque RP FA Sun 9/20/20 8:02 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque left the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Marlins due to arm tightness, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bourque threw four pitches in relief during Sunday's nightcap and allowed one hit. He was removed from the game, and manager Dave Martinez revealed after the game that he's being evaluated with an arm injury. The severity of the issue isn't yet known, but Martinez said that the team should know the results of his tests Monday.
James Bourque RP FA Mon 9/7/20 3:47 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
Bourque was recalled by the Nationals on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bourque was sent to the Nationals' alternate training site in early August when active rosters shrunk from 30 to 28 players, but he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen after Dakota Bacus (hip) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Bourque was effective over a limited sample during his time in the majors to begin the season as he tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. He should pitch mainly in lower-leverage situations.
James Bourque RP FA Thu 8/6/20 11:55 AM
James Bourque
RP FA
The Nationals optioned Bourque to their alternate training site in Fredericksburg on Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
With the Nationals needing to reduce their active roster from 30 to 28 men ahead of Thursday's deadline, Bourque ended up losing out to Kyle Finnegan for the final spot in the Washington bullpen. Bourque had only appeared in two of the Nationals' games to date, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings.
James Bourque RP FA Thu 7/23/20 4:13 PM
James Bourque
RP FA
The Nationals recalled Bourque from Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
The transaction reverses one from the spring, when Bourque was optioned to Double-A. Bourque was one of the beneficiaries of MLB allowing teams to carry 30-man rosters into Opening Day during the season, as he may have been on the chopping block if the Nationals were limited to 26 men. The 27-year-old will fill a low-leverage role while he's up with the big club.