MLB teams
Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Cubs activate Joe Nathan, who gets win Sunday vs. Brewers

MLB, Chicago Cubs

MILWAUKEE -- The Cubs activated Joe Nathan on Sunday, and the veteran reliever was credited with the victory in Chicago's comeback victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Nathan entered Sunday's game in the sixth inning and pitched a scoreless frame. He allowed one hit and walked one while striking out three. The Cubs were trailing 4-1 when Nathan entered the game but rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh and held on to win 6-5.

"It was almost too much. I almost needed a defibrillator on my run out there to the mound," Nathan said after the game. "I was just trying to calm myself down as best I can."

The 41-year-old Nathan ranks eighth in MLB history in saves with 377. He joins a first-place club that has struggled with inconsistent bullpen work for much of the season. Nathan's immediate role has not been defined, but he is not expected to supplant Cubs closer Hector Rondon.

Nathan underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2015 and hasn't pitched in the majors since. Before Sunday, he had most recently appeared in a big league game on April 6, 2015, with the Detroit Tigers.

He signed with the Cubs on May 17 and just completed a 30-day rehab assignment with Iowa. He said he is mentally ready to go from rehab mode to the beat of a pennant race.

The Cubs optioned righty swingman Adam Warren to Triple-A Iowa to open a spot on the 25-man roster for Nathan.

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