Brandon Hughes Returning To Cubs On Minor-League Deal
The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a minor-league deal on Friday to re-sign left-hander Brandon Hughes, according to a league source briefed on the contract. Hughes could work his way into a key role in relief for the Cubs again in 2025 after he became the team's closer in the second half of the 2022 season. During that season, Hughes held a 3.12 ERA in 57 appearances out of the bullpen while recording eight saves for a rebuilding Cubs squad. He later suffered a knee injury and threw only 13 2/3 innings in Chicago the following year in 2023. Hughes had three scoreless outings with the Arizona Diamondbacks last September but spent most of 2024 pitching at Triple-A Reno, where he had a 2.03 ERA in 48 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the Cubs as an outfielder. With Chicago recently trading for veteran Ryan Pressly, it's unlikely Hughes will be in the mix for saves again in 2025.
D-Backs Sign Brandon Hughes To A Minor-League Deal
The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes to a minor-league deal and will bring him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Hughes was a key member of the Cubs' bullpen in his debut season in 2022, posting a 3.12 ERA across 57 innings of work, even locking down eight saves in that time. However, a knee injury cost him much of the 2023 season and he posted a 7.24 ERA in 13 2/3 innings last season before the club non-tendered him this winter. It's a low-risk flier for the D-backs as Hughes posted excellent ERA figures throughout his minor-league career and only struggled following a procedure on his knee. He could be a left-handed factor for the reigning NL champs in 2024.
Chicago Cubs reliever Brandon Hughes (knee) will miss the rest of the 2023 season. The 27-year-old was thought to have been making progress after landing on the injured list because of knee inflammation. However, he'll undergo a distal femoral osteotomy to realign his left knee in hopes of addressing the source of reoccurring swelling. The left-hander has appeared in 17 games this season. But he's struggled, amassing a miserable 7.24 ERA before his year ended prematurely. Hughes could be back for spring training in 2024, although his fantasy value won't be high by any means.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Hughes (knee) will play catch on Friday. Hughes is on the injured list for the third separate time this year with left-knee inflammation, but he's back throwing and could rejoin Chicago's bullpen sooner than later. The 27-year-old left-hander has made 17 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023 and hasn't been good, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits (two homers) while walking eight and striking out 17 in 13 2/3 innings pitched. In his 74 relief appearances over the last two seasons, Hughes has a 3.91 ERA (4.64 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, eight saves (all in 2022) and a 28.2 percent strikeout rate in 71 1/3 frames.
Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes (concussion) is doing some conditioning and light baseball activities on Friday, while relief pitcher Brandon Hughes (knee) will play catch. Relief pitcher Codi Heuer (elbow) is scheduled to throw one inning in a minor-league rehab outing for Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. If Gomes can avoid any concussion symptoms, he could be activated from the injured list when he's eligible on May 9. Hughes has already been on the injured list twice this year with a nagging knee injury, but the Cubs will likely play things extra cautiously with Hughes this time. Heuer will be pitching in his first game action this weekend since having Tommy John surgery last March.
The Chicago Cubs placed left-hander Brandon Hughes (knee) on the 15-day injured list on Saturday and recalled right-hander Caleb Kilian from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Kilian was then optioned to Iowa on Sunday after making a spot start against the Marlins on Saturday to make room for left-hander Ryan Borucki. Hughes started the season on the injured list due to left-knee inflammation before issues with the knee arose again. He had a 3.18 ERA with nine strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 relief innings before going on the IL for a second time. Hughes will rest some more while working to adjust to a bulkier knee brace to help manage the issue when he's activated again.
Seiya Suzuki, Brandon Hughes Could Return This Weekend
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) and relief pitcher Brandon Hughes (knee) could come off the injured list to make their season debuts this weekend. Suzuki began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa last weekend and played in back-to-back games last Saturday and Sunday. He hit a home run on Wednesday and could return to starting right field duties as soon as this weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs will look to ease Suzuki into regular season action when he returns, since he didn't play at all in spring training. Chicago has been rotating Miles Mastrobuoni, Patrick Wisdom and Trey Mancini in right field early on. Suzuki should be picked up off your league's waiver wire now if he's available. Hughes has made a pair of rehab appearances
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) and relief pitcher Brandon Hughes (knee) will both begin their minor-league rehab assignments with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Suzuki is getting a late start to the 2023 campaign due to an oblique injury that he suffered in spring training, but he's nearing a return and will be an everyday player for the Cubs when he's active. He's currently rostered in 84 percent of Yahoo leagues and should be picked up immediately if he's available in your league. The 28-year-old has a nice power/speed combination for fantasy managers. Hughes is recovering from left knee soreness but has been throwing for a while. When he's ready, he should be in the mix in high-leverage situations in Chicago's bullpen, making him a candidate for a pickup in holds leagues.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Hughes (knee) is hoping to get back into a Cactus League game on Monday after throwing a bullpen session on Friday. Hughes had his left knee drained up to three times this spring and also had a cortisone injection earlier this week. His knee injury was affecting his performances this spring, as evidenced by his 6.75 ERA in only four innings of work. The young reliever had meniscus surgery in 2015 and has dealt with arthritis in his knee ever since. For now, the cortisone shot has Hughes feeling "much better," but the safe bet is that he starts the season on the injured list, with either Mark Leiter Jr. or Ryan Borucki taking his place on the Opening Day roster.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Hughes (knee) is dealing with a left knee issue and hasn't pitched since March 16, but the team is hoping he can get back on the mound this weekend. The hope is that Hughes will avoid an injured list stint to begin the 2023 season, but he's been dealing with the injury for most of camp and it's likely why he's looked off this spring. In just four innings pitched in the Cactus League, the 27-year-old left-hander has allowed three earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. Even if Hughes is able to return to the mound this weekend in a game setting, he could be forced to open the year on the injured list.
