Cubs' Craig Counsell Provides Ryan Pressly Update

Any period without Pressly is a difficult one for this struggling bullpen. The Cubs’ unit has the fourth-worst combined ERA in the Majors at 5.17 and have largely kept their opponents afloat in later innings.

Chicago traded for Pressly from the Houston Astros this offseason, and he has been phenomenal at the end of games. The 36-year-old is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA, a 4.93 FIP, and four saves over 11 outings and 11 innings. He has struggled with his command at times, recording six walks for every five strikeouts.

However, even with declining stuff in this later stage of his career, Pressly forces a ton of ground balls and has an unpredictable five-pitch arsenal, something usually said of starting pitchers.

Pressly’s fill-in, Porter Hodge, came on to close out Wednesday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers and shut them down for the save. Hodge is a capable high-leverage arm, and his 5.68 ERA is inflated by a horrendous six earned run disaster against the Diamondbacks.

Hodge still boasts an impressive 2.86 FIP, and aside from that one bad game, he has allowed just two runs over 12 innings.

Regardless of Hodge’s abilities, this bullpen needs Pressly to be healthy and effective. There are plenty of question marks surrounding the long relievers, and outside of Hodge, Julian Merryweather has been one of the only reliable relief pitchers so far.