Pretty crazy what a bad back-end of the bullpen will do to you because at one point in 2024 I wanted to see Colten Brewer get the ninth inning to close out games for the Cubs. The right-handed pitcher was signed by the New York Yankees this week and unfortunately for Brewer his lasting memory with the Cubs is how he broke his hand at Wrigley Field.
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Brewer, 32, had his 2024 season cut short after he punched the dugout wall following a relief appearance against the Los Angeles Angels in July. He at least had the awareness to use his non-pitching hand, but the damage was done and Brewer missed the rest of the year with a broken left hand.
Robert Murray reported earlier this week that Brewer signed a minor league contract with the Yankees. This is the pitcher’s third stint in the Yankees’ organization, pitching in their minor league system in 2017 and later on was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Yankees following the 2022 season.
Brewer made three appearances for the Yankees during the 2023 season before he was released so that he could sign with a team in Japan.
The Cubs acquired Brewer on Dec. 31, 2023, and after beginning the 2024 season at Triple-A he was called up to the big leagues on April 17. Brewer spent time on the injured list with a back issue, but returned in June and made nine more relief outings before the broken-hand incident.
Through his first eight outings of the year he was doing a solid job, posting a 2.84 ERA in 12.2 innings. Brewer recorded his first MLB save against the San Francisco Giants on June 19, but struggled in his last handful of appearances.
Overall in 2024, Brewer posted a 5.66 ERA in 20.2 innings, with 22 strikeouts and 9 walks.
Brewer has pitched for the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox besides the Yankees and Cubs during his MLB career. The righty has a 5.10 ERA in 120 innings in the majors.
