The Chicago Cubs have reportedly signed 28-year-old pitcher Génesis Cabrera to an MLB deal. Cabrera was recently designated for assignment by the New York Mets and after clearing waivers he elected free agency rather than accepting an assignment at Triple-A.
Cabrera signed a minor league deal with the Mets in the offseason and began the 2025 season pitching for their Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse. The hard-throwing lefty was called up on May 1, and pitched in six games for the Mets. He struck out seven and walked three, allowing three earned runs in 7.2 innings before he was DFA'd on Saturday.
Now, Cabrera will be back in the majors with the Cubs. Mike Rodriguez first reported that Cabrera and the Cubs were nearing a deal on Tuesday. Jon Heyman later confirmed and Andy Martinez reported that it's an MLB deal for the 28-year-old reliever.
The question now is who are the Cubs going to get rid of in their bullpen to make room for Cabrera. He's a lefty, so you certainly hope that there isn't an injury to veteran Drew Pomeranz, who has not allowed a run in 12.2 innings. Caleb Thielbar pitched Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies, so nothing seems wrong with him. Cabrera may potentially be the third left-handed reliever in the bullpen for the Cubs.
If there isn't an injury on the active pitching staff, then recently-promoted Brooks Kriske could be the odd-man out in the bullpen. Kriske, 31, made his Cubs debut on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. The righty pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Kriske does not have any minor league options, so if he is moved for Cabrera, then the righty will have to be designated for assignment.
As for Cabrera, he has solid numbers through 279 MLB appearances. He's still averaging 96+mph with his fastball and Cubs fans will remember Cabrera from his days with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Originally an international free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cabrera was dealt to the Cardinals at the 2018 trade deadline. The pitcher made his MLB debut in 2019, tossing 19.1 innings in his first cup of coffee in the majors. Cabrera had a healthy 27.8% strikeout rate from 2020-21, but the high strikeout numbers have always been paired with a high walk rate.
Cabrera has walked at least 10% of the batters he's faced in every season since making his MLB debut.
In 2023, the Cardinals traded Cabrera to the Toronto Blue Jays and he was outstanding down the stretch. Cabrera ended the year with a 2.66 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, striking out 20 in 23.2 innings with the Blue Jays.
He still had a productive 2024 season in Toronto, posting a 3.59 ERA in 62.2 innings, but Cabrera's strikeout rate dipped to 18.5%.
Overall, Cabrera has recorded a 3.88 ERA across 283.1 innings in the majors, averaging close to a strikeout per inning. He throws hard, walks a few too many hitters, but Cabrera certainly has the tools to put together great stretches out of the bullpen.
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