Cubs reliever Luke Little finding little to do in return to majors

There’s little chance you know this, and maybe even less chance you have ever given it a passing thought, but there are very few people named Little who have loomed large in American culture.

Rich Little drew laughs doing impressions — in the ’70’s, he was to Richard Nixon what SNL’s James Austin Johnson is to Donald Trump.

Cleavon Little made us laugh, too, as the sheriff of an unexpected hue in Mel Brooks’ comedy classic, “Blazing Saddles.’’

Floyd Little was an All-America running back at Syracuse. Grady Little managed the Red Sox to heartbreaking defeat to the Yankees.

Beyond that, slim pickings. And none of them came close in size to the 6-8, 220-pound left-handed reliever precariously occupying a spot in the Cubs’ bullpen, Luke Little, who still hopes to leave an enduring impression in major league baseball.

Little was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and got to shake hands when he pitched the ninth inning of the Cubs’ 11-2 win over the Phillies in Philadelphia last Wednesday. He gave up a home run to Bryce Harper that night.

Despite the Cubs’ shortage of healthy arms in the bullpen, Little has not been on Craig Counsell’s call list since. That is no different than last season, when Little made two appearances four months apart for the Cubs, walking four in just two-thirds of an inning against the Padres in April, then not receiving a summons again until August, when he pitched a couple of innings against the Brewers.

A fourth-round draft choice of the Cubs in 2020, Little appeared on his way when he was promoted to the big league club in Sept., 2003, made seven appearances, then made his first Opening Day roster in 2024. He pitched 30 times for the Cubs that season, but hurt his shoulder in July and missed the rest of the season.

Last season, he pitched in 43 games for Iowa, all but two out of the bullpen, and posted a 2-1 record with a 2.87 ERA. But the number most relevant to the Cubs is the one that has plagued him in pro ball: 34 walks in 59 2/3 innings, which takes some of the shine off the 75 strikeouts he posted.

If Little can ever harness his control — a big if — there remains a path to success for a pitcher who stands at the very end of the first-base side of the pitching rubber—what he calls a “weird” arm slot—and attacks hitters with has a four-seamed fastball that sits at 96 and touches 99, a slider, and a new sinker that replaced his old splitter.

“I’ve seen myself on the Trajekt,’’ Little said, referring to the pitching robot that can duplicate pitchers’ deliveries and repertoires, “and not to gloat, but I can see how hard it is [for a hitter to track his pitches, because it’s coming out from behind [a left-handed hitter]. That’s definitely a confidence booster.’’

Little understands he’s probably a short-timer again this go-round.

“I don’t know how long I’m gonna be here,’’ he said. “I could be here another day, I could be here another week. If them getting healthy puts me back in Triple-A, I want them healthy.’’

NOTE: For the first time, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner was named National League player of the week, coming off a week in which he batted .346 (9 for 26), with 2 home runs, 2 stolen bases and 11 RBI. His 21 RBIs overall were tied for the major league lead entering play Monday night. “He had a wonderful week,’’ manager Craig Counsell said. Counsell said injured reliever Hunter Harvey (inflamed triceps) has yet to resume throwing.