The Chicago Cubs placed left-handed reliever Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list Saturday with appendicitis, continuing a brutal stretch for the team's pitching staff. Milner, who posted a 3.55 ERA in 38 appearances, underwent emergency surgery after experiencing severe stomach pain overnight. Manager Craig Counsell indicated Milner will likely miss four to six weeks recovering.

Right-hander Tyler Ferguson earned his third call-up from Triple-A Iowa to fill Milner's spot. Ferguson has pitched 3⅓ scoreless innings with the Cubs this season, allowing just one earned run. The 26-year-old previously appeared in 56 games for Oakland last season before being traded to Chicago on May 7.

Chicago also activated veteran Bryse Wilson off waivers from Philadelphia while optioning Jayden Murray to Triple-A. Wilson tossed two scoreless innings in his lone Phillies appearance before being designated for assignment. These moves come as the Cubs deal with multiple pitching injuries.

Milner joins a crowded injured list that already includes starters Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton. The situation forced the Cubs to acquire David Peterson from the Mets just to fill Saturday's start. With several key arms unavailable, Chicago's playoff push faces serious obstacles in the competitive NL Central race.