It has been frustrating seeing high-leverage arms struggle for the Cubs for now the third straight season, but at the same time we’re watching unexpected success from pitchers who quite frankly were laughed at when acquired by the Cubs. That includes veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz, who has looked like a steal for the Cubs since they traded for him back in April.
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The 36-year-old pitcher had not appeared in a game at the MLB level since the 2021 season with the Padres. Pomeranz dealt with arm injuries and a setback that further delayed his return, but he was finally healthy this past spring training. The former All-Star and 2018 World Series champion began the 2025 season pitching at Triple-A in the Mariners’ minor league system.
On April 21, the Cubs acquired Pomeranz in exchange for cash considerations after the pitcher exercised the upward mobility clause in his contract with the Mariners. The Cubs added Pomeranz to the 26-man roster on April 23, and since then he’s made a team-high nine relief appearances without giving up a single run.
In his first MLB appearance since Aug. 10, 2021, Pomeranz struck out two of the Phillies’ best hitters, getting Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber to whiff on fastballs.
The former starter-turned-reliever did have an extended stretch of dominance out of the bullpen, but that was just so long ago that I’m not sure the most optimistic people in the front office thought Pomeranz would be this good for the Cubs.
Pomeranz has only given up two hits, while striking out nine and walking two in 8.2 scoreless innings. He recorded his first save of the season on Monday, working around a two-out single to secure a 5-2 win over the Marlins at Wrigley Field.
Sometimes it’s the smaller moves that pay off big for teams and that’s definitely been the case for the 2025 Cubs’ bullpen. We know about the struggles at the end with Ryan Pressly and most recently the dramatic decline from Julian Merryweather, but out of nowhere Brad Keller and Chris Flexen have suddenly provided great relief for Craig Counsell on top of the great work by Pomeranz.
Keller is showing that his spring training performance wasn’t a fluke. The right-hander has surrendered seven earned runs this year with the Cubs and six of those came in two outings. He was charged with two earned runs early in the year against the Diamondbacks and then four more in 1/3 inning against the Dodgers. Other than that, Keller has been spectacular, recording a 3.20 ERA in 18 appearances. Keller’s recent stretch of dominance is up to 10.1 consecutive shutout innings starting on April 25.
No one saw that coming after Keller posted an ERA above 5 last season with the White Sox and Red Sox, respectively.
Like Keller, Flexen agreed to a minor league deal with the Cubs in the offseason and there weren’t any expectations for the 30-year-old pitcher. Flexen began the 2025 season at Triple-A and pitched so well that he was added to the 40-man roster and inserted into the Cubs’ bullpen on April 30. Flexen has made four relief appearances with the Cubs and has not given up a run in seven innings of work. That included a three-inning save against the Brewers.
Flexen was also credited with the win on Tuesday against the Marlins after tossing scoreless innings before the ninth-inning rally by the Cubs’ offense.
Three pitchers who were nowhere near the radar for most fans once spring training began three months ago are now a vital part of the bullpen. Yes, the team has the resources to simply go out and pay for a higher sense of certainty, but you have to give the Cubs credit for identify these guys, making the necessary changes with these pitchers and seeing the positive results coming out on the other side.
