Cubs Calling Up Pitcher Who Has Dominated Triple-A

The Cubs are reportedly calling up right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen, who has dominated Triple-A so far in 2025. Luckily, this does not appear to be related to Shōta Imanaga's status after the lefty was removed from Tuesday's game because of leg cramps.

Flexen, 30, was signed to a minor league deal in spring training and after five great starts with the Iowa Cubs he's getting another shot in the majors. The veteran pitched for the White Sox during the 2024 season and has 153 career appearances in MLB, making his big-league debut back in 2017.

There was a deadline in Flexen's deal with the Cubs that if he wasn't on the active roster by May 1, then he could opt out and sign elsewhere. The righty has posted a 1.16 ERA in 23.1 innings at Triple-A and without Javier Assad to fill in Flexen has now been given an opportunity with the Cubs.

Flexen posted a 4.95 ERA in 160 innings with the White Sox last year. Obviously not great, but the righty did end the season strong, posting a 3.52 ERA in 46 innings to close out his 2024 campaign. He's continued that success in the minors this year, striking out 21 batters in five starts, only allowing three earned runs in 23.1 innings of work.

The Cubs can make room on the active roster by optioning Tom Cosgrove back to Triple-A. The lefty made his Cubs debut on Tuesday, pitching two shutout innings. Cosgrove becomes a bit redundant in the bullpen as the Cubs already have Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar as left-handed options.

As far as the 40-man roster goes, Assad and/or Ryan Brasier can be moved to the 60-day injured list to accommodate Flexen's inclusion.

Flexen isn't all that far removed from a few good years with the Seattle Mariners. During a two-year stretch in 2021 and 2022, the righty made 53 starts among 64 total appearances. He posted a 3.66 ERA in 317.1 innings with the Mariners. Interestingly enough, that success came after a one-year stint playing in the KBO in 2020.

Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea are the next two projected starting pitchers for the Cubs against the Pirates. Following the series in Pittsburgh the Cubs play two more series without an off day, so you could see Flexen start this weekend if the team wants to give Imanaga an extra day of rest.