The Cubs spent part of the week trimming the edges of a bullpen plan that has been built on churn, hope, and a steady stream of veteran flyers.
That process led to two familiar names getting cut loose from Iowa: Aaron Bummer and Liam Hendriks. Both arrived earlier this season as the kind of low-cost bets teams make when they’re trying to patch over a thin relief corps, but neither did enough to force his way back into the picture.
Hendriks was the bigger name, and for good reason. He was once one of the game’s top late-inning arms, but a cancer diagnosis and injury problems have slowed him down badly in recent years.
With Iowa, he appeared in four games, threw 58 pitches, struck out five, and didn’t allow a run across 4.0 innings. Even so, the Cubs evidently didn’t see a clear path to trusting him at the next level.
Bummer’s case was rough in a different way. He came over after being let go by the Braves, where he had posted a 7.63 ERA in 19 appearances to start the season.
His time with Iowa didn’t change the story much: four games, four earned runs, and six hits allowed. Jon Heyman reported that Bummer’s departure was his own call, noting that he opted out of his minor league deal and will not hit free agency.
Jake Woodford is still in the mix, though his path has already taken a few turns. Chicago signed him on July 4, brought him up for a July 10 outing against the Reds, and watched him get hit hard in that appearance, when he gave up five hits and three earned runs over 2.0 innings.
He later returned to Iowa and initially elected free agency earlier this week - psyche! After checking the market, Woodford chose to stay in the organization and signed another minor league contract to remain with the Cubs in Triple-A, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Woodford, a 29-year-old who previously pitched with the Brewers, has long been more of a depth arm than a locked-in bullpen answer. Still, the Cubs are giving him another look because he brings a very deep arsenal, and they’re clearly willing to keep working with him.
If Chicago wants another veteran arm, Aaron Civale looks like the obvious name to watch. The Athletics designated him for assignment earlier this week, and he fits the exact kind of profile the Cubs have targeted before.
Civale is an eight-year MLB veteran, and he posted a 5.42 ERA with the Athletics over 74.2 innings this season. He also has recent history with Chicago: the Cubs picked him up after stints with the Brewers and White Sox in 2025, and he delivered a 2.08 ERA in five appearances.
That sample was small, but it was enough to make Civale a plausible fit again. He has generally done a solid job of limiting hard contact and keeping the ball in the zone, and with the Cubs still looking for veteran depth, he’s the type of arm they could pounce on quickly.
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