Chicago Cubs Sign Left-Handed Reliever

The Chicago Cubs made a move Thursday to add a southpaw to their bullpen. The team announced that they have signed Génesis Cabrera to a one-year deal. Cabrera, 28, was designated for assignment by the New York Mets last Saturday. After a five-day window where he was not picked up or traded, he refused an option to AAA and became eligible to sign a deal with the Chicago Cubs. In a corresponding move, the team has designated recently recalled right-hander Brooks Kriske for assignment.

Génesis Cabrera Signs With Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs added some depth to their bullpen Thursday by signing Génesis Cabrera to a one-year deal. Cabrera became available today after his transaction window lapsed. The Cubs didn’t waste any time adding the 28-year-old southpaw. Cabrera will infuse some much-needed left-handed help to this bullpen that hasn’t been able to find a consistent southpaw to contribute. In a corresponding move, the team has designated Brooks Kriske for assignment.

Cabrera was designated for assignment last Saturday by the New York Mets and was not picked up by a team. Rather than accept an outright to AAA Cabrera elected free agency, where the Chicago Cubs quickly became his best option. The move to bring in a lefty comes at the expense of Kriske, who was brought up after the Cubs designated Julian Merryweather for assignment earlier this week. Kriske made just one appearance with Chicago.

In 2025, Cabrera made just six appearances in his first season with the New York Mets, pitching to the tune of a 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 7.2 innings. The 28-year-old Dominican is in his seventh MLB season and when he takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs he will be pitching for his fourth team. In his career with St. Louis, Toronto, and New York, Cabrera has a 17-14 record, 3.88 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 5 saves, and 70 holds in 283.1 innings across 279 appearances, with all but two of those outings coming out of the bullpen.

Final Thoughts

I think this is a great move for the Chicago Cubs. This signing makes the decision to designate Julian Merryweather for assignment make more sense. Replacing a right-hander with a left-hander who has a similar pitch repertoire is a good swap for a team that has been bereft of left-handers out of the bullpen except Caleb Thielbar and recently Drew Pomeranz.

I hope Cabrera can become a key member of this bullpen moving forward, not only due to his arm talent and experience but because if there’s anything that the Cubs have shown a need for as they approach the MLB trade deadline, it’s southpaws out of the bullpen.