CHICAGO — In a whirlwind of transactions ahead of their narrow 7-6 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs bolstered their roster with the addition of infielder Nicky Lopez and left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz. Lopez, who inked a one-year deal, was joined by Pomeranz, who came aboard following a trade with Seattle. Although initially slated to join Triple-A Iowa, Pomeranz was spotted at Wrigley Field during the Cubs’ electrifying 11-10 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
In a series of roster adjustments, the Cubs designated infielder Gage Workman for assignment and reassigned right-hander Gavin Hollowell to Iowa. With changes continuing, they transferred left-hander Justin Steele to the 60-day injured list. Meanwhile, designated hitter Seiya Suzuki was sidelined due to worsening right wrist soreness, stemming from a previous injury aggravated during Tuesday’s game.
“We’ve barred the headfirst slide for Seiya,” explained manager Craig Counsell. “He’s day-to-day again, unfortunately.” Closer Ryan Pressly found himself unavailable after undergoing a procedure to drain his right knee on Tuesday, but Counsell remains hopeful that Pressly will return by Friday’s matchup against Philadelphia.
Lopez’s return to the Cubs comes after an earlier stint during spring training. Following an opt-out from a minor league contract on March 21, he found a brief tenure with the Los Angeles Angels, recording no hits in six at-bats across five games before being designated for assignment. The Naperville native, who previously played for the crosstown White Sox, remarked on the fulfillment of being with a hometown team. “I don’t take it for granted. I am going to go out there and give it my all,” Lopez stated.
Capable across various infield positions, Lopez’s presence is particularly strategic for the Cubs at third base. With prospect Matt Shaw reassigned following a slow start, and Workman handling third base with errors on Tuesday, multiple players, including Lopez, are anticipated to share the position. “You’re going to see multiple third basemen on a day-to-day basis, and Nicky fits that profile,” Counsell noted.
Pomeranz, who joined the Cubs through a Seattle trade, carries the potential to enhance a struggling bullpen that started the day with a 5.34 ERA. Despite a promising background, the 36-year-old has battled numerous injuries, including flexor tendon surgery, and hasn’t played a major league game since 2021. However, after signing with San Francisco and standing by without appearances in 2024, Pomeranz remains hopeful about a comeback.
“I’ve just been trying to get back since 2021.” Pomeranz expressed his gratitude upon joining the Cubs, adding, “Literally feels like the first time all over again.” Familiar with Counsell from their joint tenure in Milwaukee, he carries an impressive career record of a 3.91 ERA in 289 competitions over 11 seasons.
Elsewhere, Counsell mentioned pitcher Javier Assad’s journey to Chicago for medical evaluations following recurring discomfort in his left side. In his effort to recover from a left oblique strain, Assad pitched four innings in his second rehab start with Iowa, drawing attention to the challenges faced.
Workman, a Rule 5 draft selectee from Detroit, was 3 for 14 with two RBIs in nine games while with the Cubs. Should he clear waivers, the initial promise entails offering him back to the Tigers, marking another chapter in the Cubs’ evolving roster journey.