Cubs Bring Back Sneaky Good Pitcher from 2024 Bullpen

It was a small sample size, but right-handed relief pitcher Yency Almonte looked pretty damn good out of the Cubs bullpen in 2024. Unfortunately, Almonte's season was cut short after he suffered a shoulder injury in May. Now, the righty is back with the Cubs.

According to ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have signed Almonte to a minor league deal.

The Cubs are bringing back pitcher Yency Almonte on a minor league deal. He appeared in 17 games for them last year. Has a career 4.44 ERA.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 4, 2025

The Cubs originally acquired Almonte in the Michael Busch trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Almonte, who was limited to 17 games because of the shoulder injury that eventually led to surgery, was non-tendered by the Cubs back in November.

Almonte had a couple bad outings early in 2024, but then became an extremely dependable reliever for the Cubs. From April 5 through May 7, the right-hander made 13 appearances and struck out 19 batters in 13.2 innings. Almonte only allowed two earned runs during that stretch, a 1.32 ERA, while notching a save and five holds.

Yency Almonte, K'ing the Side with Sweepers. pic.twitter.com/h1EplUyaot

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 5, 2024

The Cubs shut down Almonte in May and by July it was determined that he needed surgery to repair the torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Almonte broke into the majors with the Colorado Rockies in 2018, and since then he's had an up and down career. His best season came in 2021 with the Dodgers Almonte recorded a 1.02 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 35.1 IP, with a strikeout to walk ratio of 33/10.

Overall in his career, Almonte has posted a 4.44 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 223 innings.

So, you can add Almonte to the bullpen mix, but right now we're not 100% sure how ready he is following the shoulder surgery. Nevertheless, if he is healthy right out of the gate or is able to contribute at all this year, then this seems like a great insurance option for the 2025 Cubs.