The Cubs are set to bring back a key component in their bullpen success.
A source confirmed Tuesday that they’ve reached an agreement with left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar on a one-year deal. The terms of the contract, which is contingent on a physical, were not immediately clear.
Thielbar, 38, had a 2.64 ERA last season, his best since 2020 by that measure. The veteran southpaw, who spent the other eight years of his major-league career with the Twins, was one of manager Craig Counsell’s most trusted high-leverage arms for much of the season.
He finished with 25 holds and one save. And when the Cubs moved to a closer-by-committee approach late in the year, Thielbar was part of that matchup-based equation.
Thielbar’s path to late-career success included a four-year hiatus from the majors and stints in the independent American Association.
“It’s the wonderful thing about pitching,” Counsell said in August. “You don’t hear that story with position players, but pitching is different in that spot. You can really improve later in life with health, strength, a new pitch, a different grip. It can change really fast. And that’s why you stick with it, and that’s why you see guys lasting a long time, as well.”
The Cubs ended up relying on several relievers who fell in that category, including Thielbar and fellow left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who turned 37 in November. After plenty of turnover and evolving roles over the course of the season, the bullpen finished with a 3.78 ERA, which was fifth in the National League.
Because much of last season’s bullpen was made up of players on one-year deals, the Cubs are now rebuilding the group. Thielbar will join left-hander Hoby Milner and right-hander Phil Maton, two experienced additions.
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