Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Pressly notched his first save of the season in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Diamondbacks, but it wasn't without drama. The righty came on in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead, but after a leadoff single, Eugenio Suarez belted his fourth home run of the season, and the lead quickly evaporated to one run. Two more batters would reach before pinch runner Garrett Hampson would bail Pressly out by overrunning third base on Corbin Carroll's infield single, with Hampson getting tagged out to end the game. Pressly finished with two earned runs allowed on four hits and one walk while striking out one. In his first appearance during the Tokyo Series, the 36-year-old walked three batters, and on Thursday, he allowed two hits and a run, so we've yet to see a clean inning from the veteran. We'll see how long the Cubs give him to right the ship, but more of this and it could be time to turn to Porter Hodge, who was the Cubs' closer down the stretch last season.
Ryan Pressly To Compete For Ninth-Inning Role In Chicago
The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro reports that veteran right-hander reliever Ryan Pressly was told he will close some games his new team, the Chicago Cubs, in 2025. Pressly also added that he will head into spring training in February competing for the ninth-inning role after Porter Hodge filled in admirably in the closer role in 2024. Pressly thinks both he and Hodge will be a "pretty dynamic duo" at the back end of the Cubs' bullpen. The 36-year-old Pressly should probably be considered the favorite for saves in Chicago just because of his experience factor, but he should be considered a low-end fantasy closer after showing clear signs of decline the last several years in Houston. He did pick up 25 holds as a setup man for the Astros in 2024, but his strikeout and walk rates and velocity have been trending down, and he'll be an injury risk as well.
Ryan Pressly Traded To Cubs After Waiving No-Trade Clause
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have acquired Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly in exchange for right-handed pitcher Juan Bello. The Astros will also be covering some of Pressly's salary. Earlier this week, several teams attempted to acquire the former closer, but Pressly did not waive his no-trade clause. However, Pressly agreed to the deal to send him to the Northside. Seeing that Pressly waived his no-trade clause suggests the Cubs will likely give him ninth-inning duties to open the campaign. In addition, this transaction does open the door for Alex Bregman to return to Houston. Last season, Pressly operated primarily as a setup man for Josh Hader. Across 56 1/3 innings of work, the 36-year-old posted a 3.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He struck out 58 batters and tallied 25 holds. Fantasy managers should expect Pressly to see most of the save opportunities with Porter Hodge reverting to the setup role.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Detroit Tigers will not acquire Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly. Nightengale noted that Pressly could either waive his trade clause to be the Chicago Cubs' closer or remain in Houston in a setup role. However, the Tigers are out of the running. The Tigers have been active in the relief pitcher market and have been linked to other options, such as Carlos Estevez. Last season, Pressly held a 3.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 56 2/3 innings. He struck out 58 batters and tallied 25 holds, operating as the go-to option in the eighth inning. Last season, Jason Foley saw most of the save opportunities as he tallied 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He is currently slated to return to that role, with Tyler Holton operating as the No.2 option.
Ryan Pressly Doesn't Want To Go To East Or West Coast
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that Houston Astros right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly, who is being shopped by the Astros this offseason, has a full no-trade clause and has told the team that he does not want to go to the East or West coast. It means that he wouldn't approve a trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, one of the team's reportedly pursuing him. Pressly has not committed either way to the Chicago Cubs, who were reportedly close to acquiring him on Thursday. The 36-year-old is scheduled to make $14 million in 2024 and showed obviously signs of decline while both his strikeout and walk rates went the wrong way, so the Astros are more than likely going to have to eat some salary in order to work out a trade. Although Pressly isn't getting any younger, a trade to Chicago would almost certainly make him the Cubs' primary closer in 2025.
USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Chicago Cubs are on the verge of acquiring right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros. It would be the second trade the two clubs have pulled off this offseason, with the Cubs landing All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros in exchange for infielders Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith. As things currently stand, Porter Hodge is the favorite to open the 2025 season a the Cubs' primary closer, so it's no surprise the team has been actively looking to improve the back end of their bullpen. If Chicago does acquire Pressly, he'd immediately become the favorite for closer duties on the north side. The 36-year-old was a setup man in Houston in 2024 after Josh Hader arrived, and he had 25 holds (12th-most in baseball). Although Pressly's walk and strikeout rates declined, his fantasy stock would be boosted as a closer again if he joins the Cubs.
Astros Having Discussions About Trading Ryan Pressly
The Houston Astros have had internal discussions related to potentially trading reliever Ryan Pressly. The 35-year-old was moved to a setup role in 2024 once the Astros acquired closer Josh Hader. Pressly had saved 90 games for Houston from 2021-23, posting a 2.94 ERA. 0.98 WHIP, and 25.4% K-BB%. In the setup role in 2024, however, the righty posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 16.4% K-BB%. With Hader and other capable arms at the back end of the bullpen, the team could let Pressly go and get prospects in return, although with the veteran's full no-trade clause, the pitcher would have to be on board with any proposed destination. It's worth monitoring for fantasy in the event he lands in a good spot with the opportunity to close.
Houston Astros right-hander Ryan Pressly (back) threw live batting practice on Monday as he recovers from a lower-back strain. Pressly threw another bullpen session on Saturday in Baltimore and remains on track to return from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible on Thursday. He tried to pitch through a back strain for two weeks before the team finally decided to put him on the IL on Aug. 17 (retroactive to Aug. 14). Manager Joe Espada said a minor-league rehab assignment wouldn't be necessary. "I think he's in pretty good shape," Espada said. "The fact that he continues to throw, he feels good." Pressly has a 3.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 46 2/3 relief innings in 2024, but he has allowed five earned runs, 12 hits and five walks in seven innings over seven outings since July 29. The Astros will be hoping Pressly is more effective as a late-inning setup man down the stretch after recovering from his back injury.
Houston Astros right-hander reliever Ryan Pressly (back) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday before the series finale against the Boston Red Sox. Manager Joe Espada said that Pressly probably won't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the injured list. A lower-back strain put the 35-year-old veteran on the 15-day IL last weekend, but he's making good progress and should be ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen when he's eligible to return on Aug. 29. A rough stretch before his injury ballooned Pressly's ERA on the season to 3.86, while he's also holding a 1.41 WHIP with two saves and 49 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings pitched in 2024. When he rejoins the Astros, he should return to a key late-inning setup role for the first-place Astros, making him valuable in deeper holds leagues.
Houston Astros right-hander Ryan Pressly (back) was feeling better and played catch on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. Pressly tried to pitch through a back strain for the past two weeks before the team finally placed him on the 15-day injured list this past Saturday. He has a 3.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 46 2/3 innings this year but has given up 12 hits, five earned runs and five walks in seven innings in seven appearances since July 29. The 35-year-old's rough recent stretch before going on the IL coincides with his back injury, so the Astros will be hoping that he will be much better down the stretch out of the bullpen once he returns from the IL. Pressly will be eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 29, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready at that date.
Ryan Pressly
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Cubs
