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Cubs Trade For Veteran Reliever From Mariners: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 6:52 PM ET

With the Chicago Cubs' start to the 2025 season, the offense has been great while the pitching has been suspect. With needs in the starting rotation, and especially the bullpen, it was only a matter of time before the Cubs made a move. According to a new report, the Cubs acquired a veteran reliever to help bolster the bullpen.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic , the Cubs traded for veteran reliever Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle Mariners. Pomeranz is 36 years old and is the newest member of the Cubs' bullpen.

Cubs acquiring left-hander Drew Pomeranz from Mariners, sources tell @TheAthletic. Pomeranz, 36, had been pitching at Triple A - 14 strikeouts, 6 walks and a 4.66 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 21, 2025

Pomeranz has been in Triple A with the Mariners in 2025, and through nine and two-thirds innings pitched, he has a 4.66 ERA and 14 strikeouts. He's allowed six hits, six runs (five earned), and walked six batters. He hasn't allowed a home run, and he has a batting average against of just .176.

He hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2021, as he was out of all of 2022 with an injury. In 2021, his last season before injury, he had an impressive 1.75 ERA in 25 and two-thirds innings pitched with 30 strikeouts.

Across his 11-year career, Pomeranz has appeared in 289 games. In those games he has a 48 and 58 win-loss record, with a 3.91 ERA and 883 strikeouts across 858 and one-third inning pitched.

While not the splashiest bullpen addition for Chicago, he does reunite with Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who he pitched for in 2019. Pomeranz will head to join the Cubs bullpen, one in desperate need of help after a rough beginning of the year.

It's been a long road back to the Major Leagues for Pomeranz, as he dealt with various injuries since 2021. The southpaw is looking to regain some of his former glory with the Cubs, and will get his first chance in the Major Leagues in over three years.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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