CHICAGO -- Drew Pomeranz returned from a three-year hiatus from the big leagues last season and enjoyed a career renaissance as a key part of the Cubs’ bullpen. He handled high-leverage innings and was an important part of Chicago’s postseason run. Pomeranz also served as an opener a handful of times.
Back with the Cubs again, Pomeranz let manager Craig Counsell know he is once again ready for anything.
“That’s the first thing he said,” Counsell said. “He said, ‘I’ll be in the training room when you tell me I’m the opener.’”
On Friday, the Cubs selected the contract of the 37-year-old Pomeranz from Triple-A Iowa to give him another go as a member of the relief corps. With lefty Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list while recovering from an appendectomy, there is opportunity for Pomeranz to turn the page on a tough first few months with the Angels.
Pomeranz pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Friday's 17-1 loss to the Cardinals, retiring all three batters he faced.
The Cubs optioned lefty Jordan Wicks to Triple-A Iowa to open a spot on the active roster.
After signing a one-year contract worth $4 million with Los Angeles over the winter, the veteran lefty logged a 5.01 ERA in 25 appearances and spent time on the shelf with elbow inflammation. The Angels designated Pomeranz for assignment on June 15, leading to his release and then opening the door for the Cubs to sign him via a Minor League deal.
“He was such a big part of us last year,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “We didn’t know what to expect and he came in here and pitched massive innings for us the whole year. Obviously, he struggled a bit with the Angels. Our hope is that we can get him back on track.”
After acquiring Pomeranz from the Mariners in late April last season, Pomeranz spun a 2.17 ERA in 57 games, including being used four times as an opener by Counsell. The lefty had 57 strikeouts and 15 walks in 49 2/3 innings – after last pitching in the Majors in ‘21 due to injury issues.
During the Cubs’ run to the National League Division Series, Pomeranz made another six appearances and logged a 1.50 ERA with six strikeouts and no walks in six innings. He was used as an opener in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Brewers.
“It’s a shot that we think’s worth taking with Drew,” Counsell said of bringing the veteran back into the fold. “Obviously, [with] what he did last year and we think he’s not that far off it, and hopefully we can get him back there.”
With the Angels, Pomeranz’s strikeout rate plummeted to 14.8% this season after he posted a rate of 28.1% last year with the Cubs. Similarly, the lefty’s walk rate was up to 11.1% this year with the Angels, compared to 7.4% in ‘25 with the North Siders.
The Cubs are hoping the familiarity with Pomeranz offers a foundation for getting his season turned around. Not only did the lefty pitch for Counsell last year, but he had a strong showing under the manager in Milwaukee in 2019 (2.39 ERA in 25 games). The Cubs’ pitching group -- led by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy -- also know what worked for Pomeranz last year.
“No expectations,” Hoyer said. “It’s just, we believe in the competitor. We believe in the person.”