Chicago Cubs continue to shuffle the bullpen as they try to find right mix: ‘We have to solve that issue’
The Chicago Cubs haven’t hesitated to make bullpen moves to try and find some consistency for the group.
As they attempt to get their relievers collectively on a roll, the Cubs added a new arm to the organization Monday by acquiring left-hander Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle Mariners. The Cubs’ bullpen has been among the bottom third in the majors this year with a 5.19 ERA (26th) while throwing the seventh-most innings and owning the third-worst strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.7%).
“A number of our leverage guys have thrown really well, I think ultimately the goal is to get to the point where eight guys in the bullpen are throwing well, we haven’t gotten to that point yet,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Tuesday. “We’ve given up whatever the next level of crooked numbers are a number of times. And we have to solve that issue, and get to a place where we can feel like everyone down there can throw up zeros.”
Getting a second lefty for the bullpen to help manager Craig Counsell made a lot of sense for the Cubs, and Hoyer cited that as a key piece to the acquisition of Pomeranz.
“Sometimes when you only have one lefty in the bullpen, teams can make out lineups a little bit different against you and things like that,” Hoyer said.
Pomeranz arrived at Wrigley Field on Tuesday afternoon but wasn’t added to the active roster yet. Instead, the Cubs recalled right-hander Gavin Hollowell after optioning left-hander Jordan Wicks on Monday’s off day. Pomeranz’s addition comes ahead of the Cubs facing a pair of tough left-handed hitters this weekend when the Philadelphia Phillies come to town with Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Pomeranz, 36, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2021 with the San Diego Padres. He spent part of the 2019 season in Counsell’s Brewers bullpen.
“His fastball has been good, his stuff has been good and felt like it was like a good shot to take on a second lefty,” Hoyer said.
The Cubs have made several changes to the ’pen over the last week. Right-hander Nate Pearson’s prolonged struggles to find the strike zone in the first three weeks of the season led to a move to send him to Triple-A Iowa. Right-hander Eli Morgan, who also had been inconsistent, likely would have joined Pearson if a right elbow impingement didn’t pop up in his last outing in San Diego. Left-hander Luke Little was optioned back to Triple A after spending just two days in the majors, a four-walk performance in his lone outing prompting a change. Wicks lasted three days this homestand before also returning to Iowa.
It signals a sense of urgency about what the Cubs want from their relievers, especially the pitchers they will be relying on in the middle innings. Throw strikes and produce, or other options will be considered. The Cubs learned during last year’s bullpen issues that waiver claims and acquiring veteran arms in-season before the trade deadline can be a successful formula.
“We’ll continue to shuffle the bullpen, I think it’s the right thing to do,” Hoyer said. “We have a number of guys doing well, but I think that the other guys we’ll continue to shuffle and hopefully we’ll hit on some guys.”