Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was on the brink of making his long-awaited return to the majors 11 months ago. Signed by the Giants for what he said he knew was only going to be a four-day stint, Pomeranz was warm in the bullpen and ready for the call.
Then Patrick Bailey hit an eighth-inning grand slam to put the Giants ahead by a run, changing the bullpen plan in one swing.
“I’m like, ‘That’s probably my shot,’” Pomeranz said Wednesday. “So I was definitely visualizing [returning to the mound] then, but I’ve definitely thought about this moment, getting to pitch again.”
After trading for Pomeranz on Monday, the Cubs added him to the major-league roster Wednesday. In corresponding moves, they transferred lefty Justin Steele (elbow surgery) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day and optioned right-hander Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A.
The Cubs also addressed their third base mix, designating Gage Workman for assignment and signing Nicky Lopez to a one-year deal.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Pomeranz said of the opportunity. “For me, it’s almost like the first time all over again; it’s been a long time.
Pomeranz hadn’t played in a major-league game since August of 2021, when flexor tendon surgery ended his season. Then in 2023, he underwent what the Padres called an elbow cleanup surgery.
On a minor-league deal with the Mariners this season, the 36-year-old has allowed one run in his last five Triple-A appearances.
“We’ve been on a search for left-handed depth and continue adding to that group,” Counsell said. “And we think Drew is headed in the right direction. And that’s what we made the acquisition on, is that we think he’s really heading in the right direction with his stuff. His velocity is on a good trajectory right now, and when he’s had the better fastball velocities, he’s had success in this league.”
Counsell had a front row seat to Pomeranz’ 2019 bounce-back in velocity. With the Brewers in the second half of that season, managed by Counsell, Pomeranz posted a 2.39 ERA.
“That’s quite a while ago,” Counsell said. “But familiar with the player, familiar with the person. I think familiar with when he’s good, what he’s going to be doing.”
Hollowell leaves impression
Before Hollowell was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa, he turned in a memorable outing in the Cubs’ 11-10 victory against the Dodgers in 10 innings Tuesday.
“It’s performances like that that give you a chance for the magic to happen,” Counsell said.
Hollowell, recalled Tuesday and making his season debut, retired six straight batters in the eighth and ninth innings, as the Cubs offense tied up the game with home runs from Kyle Tucker and Miguel Amaya.
Injury update
Designated hitter Seiya Suzuki was scratched from the Cubs lineup Wednesday with a sore right wrist, the team announced. Suzuki also missed three games last week with pain in his right wrist. Justin Turner replaced him Wednesday, batting third.
Cubs right-hander Javier Assad is headed to Chicago for a medical visit after feeling discomfort in his left side during his rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Counsell said. Assad has been on the 15-day IL all season, working back from straining his left oblique.
Reliever Eli Morgan was diagnosed with ulnar neuritis, or inflammation of the nerve that runs along the inside of the arm, Counsell revealed. Morgan is headed to Arizona and will be shut down from throwing for two to three weeks.
