The Cubs aren’t just running it back-they’re reinforcing a bullpen that was one of their biggest strengths in 2025. On Tuesday, the team re-signed veteran left-hander Caleb Thielbar, bringing back one of their most consistent arms from last season. It’s a move that speaks volumes about how much trust the Cubs have in the 38-year-old, who quietly put together one of the best seasons of his career in Chicago.
Originally signed to a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal last offseason, Thielbar delivered far more than his price tag suggested. He made 67 appearances in 2025, posting a 2.64 ERA over 58 innings.
But those surface numbers only scratch the surface of how effective he truly was. Thielbar kept hitters off balance all year, holding opponents to a .186 batting average and walking almost no one.
His 0.88 WHIP and 25.5% strikeout rate tell the story of a pitcher who not only avoided trouble but controlled innings with veteran poise.
And when the lights got brighter in October, Thielbar didn’t blink. He made five postseason appearances-none of them allowing a run-and became a go-to option for manager Craig Counsell in high-leverage spots. By the end of the year, Thielbar had firmly established himself as the team’s set-up man, tallying 25 holds and giving the Cubs a reliable bridge to the ninth.
From April 5 through September 16, Thielbar was especially dominant. Over that stretch, he posted a 1.70 ERA across 61 appearances, covering 53 innings.
That kind of consistency over such a long stretch is rare, particularly for a reliever on the wrong side of 35. But Thielbar didn’t just survive-he thrived, and he did it against hitters from both sides of the plate.
Left-handed batters, in particular, had almost no answer for him. They managed just a .486 OPS-essentially turning into bottom-of-the-order bats every time they stepped in against him.
Righties didn’t fare much better, putting up a .590 OPS. That kind of split dominance is what makes Thielbar such a valuable late-inning weapon.
With this move, the Cubs are clearly shaping their bullpen around trusted veterans. They recently added Hoby Milner, another experienced lefty, and with Thielbar now back in the fold, it’s safe to say the team won’t be pursuing another southpaw like Drew Pomeranz. The left-handed side of the bullpen looks set.
That said, there’s still work to be done. The Cubs are expected to target another high-leverage arm to complement Daniel Palencia and Phil Maton.
Pete Fairbanks has been linked to Chicago since last season’s trade deadline, and with him still on the market, he remains a name to watch. The Cubs are building something serious in the bullpen-and bringing back Thielbar is a big part of that puzzle.