Cubs Acquire Veteran Pitcher Drew Pomeranz from Mariners

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have acquired left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle Mariners, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Pomeranz will reinforce a Cubs bullpen still adjusting after losing Justin Steele to injury.

Pomeranz, 36, had spent the early part of the season at Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate, where he made nine appearances with a 4.66 ERA and tallied 14 strikeouts over 9.2 innings. This move marks his return to Major League Baseball, as he has not pitched at the big league level since the 2021 season with the San Diego Padres.

Seattle’s decision to trade Pomeranz stems from a contract stipulation that included an “upward mobility clause.” This clause mandated the Mariners to either promote or trade him if another team was willing to provide an MLB roster spot. Rosenthal’s report suggests that the Cubs are likely to call Pomeranz up for his first big league appearance in four years, pending a corresponding roster move.

In his career, Pomeranz has accumulated a 3.91 ERA over 289 appearances, including 149 starts. He has played for several teams, including the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Giants, and most recently, the Padres. Notably, Pomeranz has recorded a total of 883 strikeouts in 858.1 innings pitched.

Last season, he made eight appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, posting a 6.00 ERA. Injuries have plagued Pomeranz, as he did not pitch in 2022 following surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, and he faced additional setbacks during his recovery in 2023.

As the Cubs continue to navigate their pitching strategy, the addition of Pomeranz is a potential boost for a bullpen that has seen fluctuations in performance. While health remains a concern, the Cubs are banking on Pomeranz’s extensive experience to help solidify their pitching depth.

“We’re excited to add Drew to our team,” Cubs general manager said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of experience and knows what it’s like to perform in high-pressure situations.”

Further details regarding the transaction and the specific return from the Cubs have yet to be disclosed.