If the Chicago Cubs are serious about contending for a World Series title, adding experienced postseason arms is crucial — and that’s where Ryan Brasier comes in.
Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in January after being designated for assignment, Brasier joined the Cubs in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. For the Cubs, it was a low-risk move to bring in a veteran reliever with championship pedigree. Brasier contributed to the Dodgers’ 2023 World Series win and was also a key bullpen piece during the Boston Red Sox’s 2018 title run.
He made his season debut for Chicago during the Tokyo Series in March, pitching one inning against his former team, the Dodgers. In that appearance, he gave up two hits and one earned run, with one strikeout and one walk. Unfortunately, a left groin strain landed him on the 15-day injured list just days later, and he hasn’t pitched since.
Now, Brasier is inching closer to a return. He’s been rehabbing in Arizona, recently throwing a bullpen session and then live batting practice — an important milestone for pitchers recovering from injury. The Cubs plan to evaluate him over the coming days to determine if he’s ready for a rehab assignment in the minors.
While Brasier has never been an All-Star, his career numbers show consistency and reliability. Over 298 MLB games, he holds a 3.87 ERA with 282 strikeouts in 286.1 innings. With Ryan Pressly closing and Porter Hodge excelling in late-inning roles, Brasier could soon return as a trusted seventh- or eighth-inning option — exactly the kind of depth contending teams rely on.