Cubs sign three-time All-Star reliever to minor-league contract

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cubs sign three-time All-Star reliever to minor-league contract

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 13, 2026 3:10 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have made an interesting addition to their organizational bullpen depth.

The club has signed Liam Hendriks to a minor-league contract. The 37-year-old brings veteran experience as a three-time All-Star. He owns a career 3.88 ERA and 116 saves while posting 739 strikeouts in 663.2 innings of work.

The move is highlighted as a low-risk, high-reward signing to help bolster the Cubs' bullpen depth.

The bullpen is currently flooded with injuries to key relievers such as Hunter Harvey, Riley Martin, Jordan Hicks and Caleb Thielbar. These injuries position Hendriks as a potentially vital depth piece.

The Chicago Cubs have signed Liam Hendriks to a minor league contract, per @Britt_Ghiroli. The right-handed pitcher has a 2.91 ERA along with 673 strikeouts throughout his minor league career. pic.twitter.com/u9CNlv5ORr
— Milb Central (@milb_central) May 13, 2026

How Liam Hendriks helps the Cubs bullpen situation

As a former closer and a pitcher with a ''bulldog mentality',' Hendriks has shown resilience by overcoming cancer and elbow injuries.

If he can return to form and increase his velocity, he could be a valuable option to help fill the void in the pen. In camp this season, he showed signs of a solid velocity of 94.9 mph.

He is also known for his ability to pitch in high-leverage situations. He offers a veteran arm to the Cubs, who are battling to hold a lead in the incredibly competitive NL Central that the club built with some historic dominance early this season.

It remains to be seen what Hendriks has left in the tank, but his peak from 2019-22 highlighted him as one of the most dominant relievers in MLB. If he can find even a portion of that form, he could prove to be a valuable addition for the Cubs.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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