The left-handed pitcher has returned to the Chicago Cubs, where he has signed a minor league contract. After a difficult 2023 season with the Cubs that was cut short by a chronic knee injury, Hughes, 29, pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney broke the news of the minor league signing on Friday.
Prior to making his Major League debut in 2022, the former Michigan State pitcher who made the switch to the mound had amassed 91.2 innings in the minor leagues. He rapidly established himself as one of the few relievers with a clear place in the Cubs’ bullpen for 2023 after having an outstanding rookie season with a 3.12 ERA and a 28.5% strikeout rate in 57.2 innings. But throughout spring training, he struggled with a knee problem that continued all season. Hughes only managed 13.2 innings in 2023 after being placed on the injury list three times. Following his final game with the Cubs on June 11, 2023, he had knee surgery, which put an end to his season. After that, Hughes signed a minor league contract after the Cubs non-tendered him.
Hughes started the 2024 season strong at Triple-A, posting a 1.84 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 14.2 innings, earning a promotion to the majors with Arizona in late April. However, his performance in the big leagues was underwhelming, as he posted an 8.15 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 15 appearances. Although Hughes showed he could still miss bats with 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings, he struggled with giving up eight home runs in such a limited inning total. The Cubs will hope that Hughes’ familiarity with the organization helps him regain his confidence in 2025. He joins a group of pitchers with previous MLB experience on minor league deals, including Brad Keller, Trevor Richards, Ben Heller, Phil Bickford, and Brooks Kriske, all competing for spots in spring training. Currently, the Cubs have only three left-handed relievers—Caleb Thielbar, Luke Little, and Rob Zastryzny—on their 40-man roster training in the spring. Caleb Thielbar, Luke Little, and Rob Zastryzny are the only left-handed relievers on the Cubs’ 40-man roster at the moment.
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