Duensing (shoulder) was playing catch prior to Friday's game against the Reds, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duensing hit the disabled list at the start of July with left shoulder fatigue after a disastrous June in which he allowed 17 runs (16 earned) across 8.1 innings. The 35-year-old could throw a bullpen session once the Cubs are in San Francisco early next week, making it seem likely he will be unable to return when eligible Wednesday.

Duensing was placed on the 10-day DL on Sunday due to left shoulder fatigue.

EDGE Analysis

Duensing hasn't quite been himself of late. After collecting two scoreless appearances to begin the month of June, the left-hander has posted a 19.64 ERA over his next eight outings. Command is at least partially to blame, as he's walked a batter in five consecutive appearances and has multiple walks in his last two. The Cubs are going to blame his struggles on shoulder fatigue, however, sending him to the DL to clear up a roster spot for fellow reliever Dillon Maples. Duensing will be eligible to return before the All-Star break, but it's unclear if that will be enough rest time for the lefty.

Duensing allowed five runs on four hits and a walk over 1.1 innings of relief in Saturday's loss to the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

This was Duensing's first appearance since being reinstated from the bereavement list on Friday and it did not go well. The lefty saw his ERA swell from 4.50 to 6.17, and memories of the pitcher who began the season with 12 consecutive scoreless innings have quickly faded. Duensing should still have a role out of Chicago's bullpen, but his fantasy value seems limited at this point.

Duensing was reinstated from the bereavement list prior to Friday's game, Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duensing will return to the Cubs' bullpen after being away from the team for the past few days. Across 31 appearances this year, he's logged a 4.50 ERA and 1.55 WHIP but has only managed to record a 15:14 K:BB over 22 innings. In a corresponding move, Justin Hancock was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Duensing was placed on the bereavement list Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rob Zastryzny will take Duensing's place on the active roster and in the bullpen. Duensing will be away from the Cubs for 3-to-7 days, meaning he'll be unavailable for the team's entire three-game series against the Dodgers that starts Monday.

Duensing and fellow pitcher Steve CIshek both appeared in left field in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers, though neither player had a fielding chance, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

CIshek started the eighth inning and allowed a leadoff single to Orlando Arcia. That's when Cubs manager Joe Maddon turned to the lefty Duensing for the left-handed Eric Thames, but he kept Cishek in the game by moving him to left field. Duensing struck out Thames and then swapped with Cishek, allowing the latter to face righty Lorenzo Cain. Cishek retired Cain, then gave way to Duensing to get another lefty, Christian Yelich, to end the inning. "It was a little terrifying, to be honest," said Duensing, who made his MLB outfield debut. The strategy was effective, so Maddon may be inclined to try it again down the road.

Duensing struggled in Sunday's loss to the Pirates, allowing four earned runs on two hits and two walks while retiring just a single batter.

EDGE Analysis

Duensing came on to begin the sixth inning and promptly allowed a double to Austin Meadows. He retired the next hitter he faced, but then gave up a walk, a single and another walk before getting the hook. Luke Farrell then allowed a bases-clearing triple, with all three runs getting charged to Duensing. The lefty's ERA jumped from 2.29 to 4.05 after the tough outing.

Duensing recorded his first save of the season in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Mets, working a scoreless ninth inning with one hit allowed.

EDGE Analysis

Regular closer Brandon Morrow appeared in the previous three games, so Cubs manager Joe Maddon turned to the lefty Duensing to finish Sunday's contest. Steve Cishek, who appeared in the eighth inning to retire a single hitter, appeared to be next in line for saves behind Morrow, but Maddon played the matchups with left-handed hitters Michael Conforto and Adrian Gonzalez up in the final inning. Duensing now has a solid 1.93 ERA this season.

Duensing tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's loss to the Cardinals, keeping his season ERA at a flawless 0.00.

EDGE Analysis

Duensing has been brilliant through 10 innings this season, though his 8:5 K:BB and 3.40 FIP are more indicative of what to expect the rest of the season. The lefty posted a 3.46 FIP and 2.74 ERA last year, so it's reasonable to think his 2018 numbers will end up looking similar. Nonetheless, Duensing has been a very steady reliever in his first two seasons with the Cubs.

Duensing has secured his place in the Cubs bullpen heading into Thursday's season opener against the Marlins, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was little reason to doubt Duensing would be excluded from the Opening Day roster after he re-signed with the Cubs on a two-year, $7 million contract in January following a stellar 2017 campaign in which he compiled a 2.74 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 62.1 innings. Though Duensing throws from the left side, he boasted relatively even splits last season, making the Cubs comfortable turning to him for full-inning work rather than primarily on a situational basis like most southpaw relievers. He'll once again be a key part of the Cubs' bridge to the ninth inning, which should allow Duensing to produce a double-digit holds total for the second straight season.