Left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz returned to the Cubs on a Minor League contract this week. Pomeranz, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Angels this offseason, was designated for assignment on June 16.
Pomeranz, 37, was 0-3 with a 5.01 ERA for Los Angeles across 25 appearances. He had also spent time on the injured list with left elbow inflammation.
. Pomeranz, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Angels this offseason, was designated for assignment on June 16.
Pomeranz, 37, was 0-3 with a 5.01 ERA for Los Angeles across 25 appearances. He had also spent time on the injured list with left elbow inflammation.
This is the second straight year the Cubs have acquired Pomeranz in an under-the-radar move. Chicago sent cash to the Mariners a year ago to add the southpaw to their bullpen.
After beginning the year in Triple-A for Seattle, Pomeranz turned in an excellent 2025 in Chicago. He recorded a 2.17 ERA with 14 holds and one save, becoming a key piece of the Cubs’ run to the National League Division Series.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 Draft and a former Top 100 prospect, Pomeranz has battled injuries for much of his career amid several stretches of effective pitching. After beginning his career as a starter and moving full time to the bullpen in 2020, Pomeranz owns a career 3.85 ERA.
The Cubs will hope they can again tinker with the lefty’s two-pitch mix -- a cutting four-seamer and knuckle curve -- to bolster a pitching staff decimated by injuries. Compared to 2025, Pomeranz has had his strikeout rate (14.8%) cut almost in half and is walking batters (11.1%) almost 4% more frequently.
The Cubs also added left-handed pitcher David Peterson on Thursday and righty Jayden Murray on Saturday via trade, seeking reinforcements with so many arms on the IL.