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Cubs, Mariners Make Early-Season MLB Trade Monday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 9:02 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs acquired a possible reclamation project from the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Seattle is sending veteran relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz to Chicago for an undisclosed return.

Selected with the No. 5 pick of the 2010 MLB Draft, Pomeranz ascended to the majors with considerable prospect pedigree. Initially a starter, he made the 2016 NL All-Star team as a member of the San Diego Padres' rotation.

Pomeranz has a 3.91 ERA and 883 strikeouts over 858.1 career innings. However, the 36-year-old hasn't made an MLB appearance since Aug. 10, 2021.

The lefty missed the rest of the 2021 season and most of 2022 recovering from surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his throwing arm. Pomeranz underwent another procedure early in the 2023 season after pitching 5.2 innings in the minors.

Last year, Pomeranz allowed six runs in nine innings with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate. He signed a minor league contract with the Mariners in March.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: A general view of Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs take on the Milwaukke brewers on August 14, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Brewers defeated the Cubs 7-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Through nine Triple-A appearances, Pomeranz has allowed six hits, six walks, and six runs with two hit batters and 14 strikeouts. Led by Andres Munoz, Seattle's big league bullpen has a 3.30 ERA.

Meanwhile, Chicago's bullpen has proven a major sore spot to start the season. Cubs relievers entered Monday with a 5.19 team ERA, MLB's fourth-worst mark, and a 1.59 WHIP higher than every bullpen besides the Washington Nationals.

Those woes nearly sparked a catastrophe on Friday. Up 7-1 over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jordan Wicks, Porter Hodge, and Ethan Roberts allowed 10 runs in the eighth inning. The Cubs responded with six runs in the bottom half of the frame to salvage a chaotic 13-11 win at Wrigley Field.

Caleb Thielbar is currently the only southpaw in Chicago's bullpen. The 38-year-old has allowed three hits, seven walks, and four runs in nine innings this season.

Pomeranz will continue his MLB comeback pursuit in the Windy City for the Cubs, who lead the NL Central with a 14-10 record before starting a two-game series with the Dodgers.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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