The Chicago Cubs finished Tuesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants with a “worst of times” ending to an otherwise “best of times” game.
After battling back to tie the game at five runs apiece, the Cubs went into extra innings, handing the ball to closer Ryan Pressly in the eleventh to hold the Giants. Instead of holding things, however, the veteran relief man, acquired from the Houston Astros in the offseason for minor league pitcher Juan Bello, let the Giants kick open the door.
Pressly allowed 8 earned runs on 5 hits and a walk with no outs recorded in a historically awful relief performance.
Chicago Cubs Bullpen Emergency
Apr 4, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) throws the ball against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
In the wake of what would turn out to be a rough 14-5 loss, panic began to set in with Cubs fans and Cubs coaching seemed to be in a bit of a damage control ‘things should be fine’ cycle.
The reality, though, is that there have to be some immediate backup plans for the 36-year-old flat-lining Pressly.
The 24-year-old Porter Hodge could step into the closer role. He’s been performing well for the most part and was always the Plan B for a Pressly, who many felt could be a diminished asset.
The problem may be with the relief corps left behind as Hodge moves up to the closer role.
The Cubs have a lot of options for the bullpen, but many of those options are without minor league options.
Options Without Options
When taking a quick look at the 26-man major league roster and those likely to move into that roster, there are a lot of names that the Cubs would likely lose if they couldn’t stick in the big leagues for whatever reason. Caleb Thielbar, Julian Merryweather, Drew Pomeranz, and Pressly are all without minor league options. Tyson Miller and Ryan Brasier, who are both on rehab assignments in Iowa following injuries, are also without options.
With up to (or exceeding) half the bullpen having to clear waivers if sent down to the minors, this limits the team’s flexibility in making in-season moves.
This options problem was actually predicted to be an issue before the start of the season. It was speculated to be the reason behind the unexpected Triple-A assignment of Eli Morgan, who did have minor league options, at the start of the season.
Decisions, Decisions…
Per Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network, back in February:
“No positional battle will be more fascinating to follow than that of the Cubs’ relief corps. There are eight spots and seven players with no minor-league options: Pressly, Brasier, Thielbar, Miller, Merryweather, Thompson and Rea.
That means interesting arms like Nate Pearson (who was in Craig Counsell’s circle of trust last season), Eli Morgan (who had a 1.93 ERA in 32 games for Cleveland) and up-and-coming lefty Luke Little would start the year in Triple-A. Other names to watch in camp that will try and put their name in the pitching mix include righties Ben Brown (who had a 3.58 ERA in 55.1 innings in his rookie campaign) and Ethan Roberts (who returned from Tommy John surgery last year and had a 3.71 ERA in 21 games).”
So, what could this mean going forward, so early into the season and with so many innings left to cover?
It means the Cubs really need to have their major league relievers be productive, and consistently so. It also means that the front office will have to search around for available bullpen options when the likely happens and arms are let go.
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