The Chicago Cubs are bringing back one of their dominant relievers from the 2025 bullpen as ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers reported on Tuesday that the team is re-signing Caleb Thielbar. The veteran lefty was signed to a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal last offseason and now Thielbar is coming back to the Cubs after one of the best years of his MLB career.
Thielbar, 38, made 67 appearances with the Cubs in 2025, and he recorded a 2.64 ERA in 58 innings of work. He did a fantastic job of limiting any damage whatsoever as Thielbar posted a 0.88 WHIP, held opposing hitters to a .186 batting average and had a 25.5 K% rate.
The left-handed reliever also pitched well in the postseason, recording five scoreless appearances for the Cubs. Thielbar was one of the most reliable pitchers for Craig Counsell in 2025, and ultimately slotted into a set-up role. The veteran posted 25 holds out of the bullpen.
As a reminder of how great Thielbar pitched for the Cubs he recorded a 1.70 ERA in 53 innings out of the bullpen from April 5 through Sept. 16, covering 61 appearances. Thielbar was good against hitters from both sides of the plate, but he was obviously a shut down weapon against left-handed batters. Southpaws only mustered up a combined .486 OPS against Thielbar, while right-handed batters were at a .590 OPS last season.
This signing pretty much rules out the return of Drew Pomeranz. Last week the Cubs signed Hoby Milner, another veteran lefty reliever and with Thielbar's reunion there's not much of a need for another left-handed reliever.
Looking ahead, the Cubs still have to target a high-leverage arm to go along with Daniel Palencia and Phil Maton. The Cubs have been linked to Pete Fairbanks since the last season's trade deadline and at this point he's the top free agent closer left.
