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Cubs Release Ryan Pressly

By Mark Polishuk | August 1, 2025 at 9:28pm CDT

August 1: As expected, Pressly has been released, per the MLB.com transaction log.

July 31: The Cubs have designated right-hander Ryan Pressly for assignment, according to The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney.  The move opens up roster space for newly-acquired reliever Taylor Rogers.

Pressly has well over 11 years of MLB service time, so he can’t be optioned to the minors without his consent.  In all likelihood, the DFA will end with the Cubs just releasing the veteran reliever, as he still has roughly $4.5MM in salary owed to him over the remainder of the season.  The Astros are covering $5.5MM of Pressly’s $14MM total 2025 salary, but the bottom line is that any interested new team can sign Pressly to a contract after he is released, and then just owe him a prorated Major League minimum salary while the Cubs or Astros cover the rest of the $4.5MM.

When Chicago acquired Pressly from Houston in January, the thinking was that Pressly would be the favorite for save situations in the Cubs bullpen.  Unfortunately, Pressly’s run as closer was run short by mid-May, with Daniel Palencia eventually emerging as the top choice in ninth-inning situations.

Pressly’s 15.4% strikeout rate was his lowest since 2014, as the K% continued its sharp decline from the righty’s 35.7% career best in 2022.  His 9.3% walk rate was also Pressly’s worst since the 2015 season, and he was near the bottom of the league in hard-contact rate.  The result was a 4.35 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, and while that ERA was inflated by some rough numbers after the All-Star break, the advanced metrics indicated that Pressly’s bottom-line numbers were due for regression.

As a 13-year veteran and two-time former All-Star, Pressly’s resume will get him plenty of looks once he presumably clears waivers and is released.  A return to Houston wouldn’t be out of the question, with the idea that a return to his old stomping grounds could spark a bounce-back.  Any number of other contenders might be willing to take a virtually no-cost flier on Pressly now that the deadline has passed and a few clubs are still in need of bullpen help.

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Chicago Cubs Newsstand Transactions Ryan Pressly

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View Comments (83)
Post a Comment

83 Comments

  1. Redsoxx_62

    1 day ago

    Back to the Astros

    9
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      1 day ago

      Good riddance.

      9
      Reply
    • Bartolo Cologne

      1 day ago

      Bye Felicia

      1
      Reply
    • thickiedon

      1 day ago

      Big difference between the two

      1
      Reply
      • Led Hoyer

        1 day ago

        Pressly threw batting practice all year.

        1
        Reply
        • joparx

          20 hours ago

          pressly was so awful for the entire cubs tenure, we need a real prime age top end closer, we have needed that since Wade Davis was enlisted in WW1, tired of constant 40 year olds as our closer

          Reply
    • Lets Go DBacks

      39 seconds ago

      With that ERA he will be an immediate reinforcement for the bullpen in Arizona. We need many arms now that Kelly is gone.

      Reply
  2. angt222

    1 day ago

    Some relief needy team will be claiming him.

    2
    Reply
    • ak7721

      1 day ago

      Yankees with another reliever?

      Reply
  3. t0bIe1CaN0bI

    1 day ago

    Detroit….. Another old guy might be available

    3
    Reply
  4. toptimrubies

    1 day ago

    next big Angels moving coming up

    3
    Reply
  5. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 day ago

    Pressly has just left the building

    8
    Reply
    • paddyo furnichuh

      7 hours ago

      Presley was a good performer, on stage he was electrifying

      1
      Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        2 hours ago

        Specially the fat one w sideburns

        Reply
  6. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 day ago

    Wonder if Pressly learned of his demise while on the can

    6
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      1 day ago

      To the White Sox now!

      No seriously, it wouldn’t hurt and it would be league minimum.

      1
      Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        2 hours ago

        Wait Elvis night, one of the most popular traditiond is coming up soon again in August. Cmon Sox do it! Parachute him in with the flying Elvises to take the mound.

        Reply
    • rct

      1 day ago

      Probably shot his TV in anger..

      3
      Reply
      • Acoss1331

        1 day ago

        Guys most importantly, was his DFA written on a napkin? Very important detail!

        1
        Reply
      • bootsday29

        1 day ago

        What does that mean

        Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 day ago

          When your chicken tenders go bad and you’ve got make a run: Love Me Tender no mo

          2
          Reply
        • 16

          1 day ago

          @bootsday29 Elvis references

          3
          Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 day ago

          Bootsday: “who’s Elvis?”

          2
          Reply
        • Swan Gaust

          7 hours ago

          Elvus Andrus

          1
          Reply
  7. Sparky1000

    1 day ago

    Get him, Dipoto!

    2
    Reply
    • 16

      1 day ago

      You definitely do not want him ruining the good vibes you have going after a strong deadline. He’s been shelled every appearance the past 3 weeks and just doesn’t have it anymore.

      Reply
      • Sparky1000

        1 day ago

        Good point. I hope he does his best.

        Reply
  8. northstar7

    1 day ago

    How about a homecoming? I hear the Twins have some open roster spots.

    1
    Reply
  9. jhanley108

    1 day ago

    So a #1 draft pick that’s really good for a 1yr rental and a bad reliever and Theo’s coffee boy gets an extension. Poop team

    2
    Reply
    • Steelers 6x

      1 day ago

      Keep getting aggravated by the success 108!

      2
      Reply
      • jhanley108

        1 day ago

        Have they won anything in the last 10 yrs? No. Poop team

        1
        Reply
        • adkuchan

          1 day ago

          The World Series, 9 years ago.

          4
          Reply
        • jhanley108

          1 day ago

          This organization isn’t that far removed from the Wisdom-Bote era-and people cheered. Poop team

          2
          Reply
        • Steelers 6x

          1 day ago

          So when Jed took over he was asked to start all over…got rid of Bryant, Rizzo, Contreras, Baez, Schwarber…was left with Bote and Wisdom.

          In just a few short years he’s turned that poop team into one of the best in baseball and one strong farm system.

          And….he did this all with the ability to keep hanley in his basement behind his keyboard.

          It is a distant second but it is pretty dang fun watching you trolls squirm and have something to do on a daily basis.

          6
          Reply
        • 16

          1 day ago

          Yes, WS 2016

          2
          Reply
        • jhanley108

          1 day ago

          Still a poop team, 9,10 whatevs. I’ll talk for 118 yrs til the next WS.

          1
          Reply
        • jhanley108

          1 day ago

          What have they won?The best teams play 162 games a year, not prognosticating a win in July.

          1
          Reply
        • johnnynoitall

          1 day ago

          Sorry White Sox fan. Poor guy. Buy some Unicorn Fart Dust $UFD. It will help your happiness

          Reply
        • jhanley108

          1 day ago

          Nope, been a Cub fan since ‘67, fan how you want. I like good baseball.

          Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 day ago

      Hanley

      Sorry Mother Tucker

      2
      Reply
    • Drasco0366

      7 hours ago

      You felt the need to comment but didn’t feel the need to make sure you comment was accurate. Congratulations, you made yourself look stupid.

      Pressley and Tucker were two completely different trades. Pressley was traded for Juan Bello who was not a #1 draft pick.

      Reply
  10. Sk8

    1 day ago

    He should be able to get work with the Twins. Their bullpen is empty.

    7
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 day ago

      Worst case – he’ll be the starting ace for the Padres’ AAA and AA team.

      2
      Reply
      • 16

        1 day ago

        Braves opener, they’ve acquired every DFA’d pitcher the past week.

        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          1 day ago

          The current Braves-Reds game is wild.

          Reply
  11. vincent k. mcmahon

    1 day ago

    Astros or Twins on line 1.

    2
    Reply
    • Rsox

      1 day ago

      Why? The Twins can’t trade him..

      2
      Reply
      • Logjammer D'Baggagecling

        1 day ago

        Does Korea have a team named Twins or Astros?

        1
        Reply
  12. I Like Big Bunts

    1 day ago

    She didn’t have the stuff to miss bats anymore.

    Reply
  13. fearthecub

    1 day ago

    Addition by subtraction. No hard feelings, but he was definitely the weakest link.

    3
    Reply
    • Bdonnell

      1 day ago

      Well, then enjoy Rogers being your new weakest link. Dude gave up so many inherited runners this year. His stats don’t jump off the page, and still they are way better than his performance.

      2
      Reply
      • johnnynoitall

        1 day ago

        So bring him in the start the inning?

        1
        Reply
  14. Outfielder044

    1 day ago

    Scott harris?

    1
    Reply
  15. Jump 84

    1 day ago

    The game will tell you when its time to hang em up. Opportunity was there ,but didn’t look right pitching.

    Reply
  16. Rsox

    1 day ago

    Down year for Pressly but he’ll find work fairly quickly i imagine

    Reply
    • CFS77

      1 day ago

      Sweeping up popcorn after games

      Reply
  17. ChiSoxCity

    1 day ago

    Another year, another nothing-burger at the trade deadline by the Chicago Cubs. The organization is lucky most Cubs fans are extra-special. And informed fanbase that cares about winning would be livid that this front office made zero impact moves, preferring marginal player to add to their collection. This team will crash and burn, Tucker will walk, and another opportunity wasted. Good grief, the Chicago sports fan is screwed.

    1
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 day ago

      Your post is fair and nice to fans, but I actually like having traded Cam Smith but keeping all of the other top prospects. They kept their future bright and the replacements for Tucker. They should make the playoffs and once you are there who knows.

      6
      Reply
    • Logjammer D'Baggagecling

      1 day ago

      They didn’t do nothing. They made moves. Improved the team. They just didn’t get the one thing they’ve need for the last 2 months. A top starter

      You’re a White Sox, what does it matter to you?

      2
      Reply
      • 16

        1 day ago

        And really the only starters traded besides Soroka were Houser (Cubs were involved but Sox chose Rays deal), Morton and Miller – sounds like they were involved on Miller as well but AZ preferred Rangers deal, which is strange b/c they got a bunch of older pitching prospects that need to go on the 40man this offseason and none seem to be sure bets beyond relievers. They added depth somewhat on the margins, but Castro is a good get and CC will do well deploying him and getting Dansby, Nico occasional days off while potentially platooning with Shaw. If Soroka pitches more to his advanced metrics the deadline will look a lot better.

        Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          1 day ago

          Kelly and Keller were two names with Cubs rumors. Keller stayed out and Kelly went elsewhere.

          2
          Reply
      • Led Hoyer

        1 day ago

        Cubs have needed a top starter since 2017. Knock on wood they finally got a closer.

        1
        Reply
  18. sergefunction

    1 day ago

    He fought the move back then and hasn’t stopped.

    Reply
  19. ❤️ MuteButton

    1 day ago

    Yo! Mr. Crane, Ryan Pressly…???

    1
    Reply
  20. Logjammer D'Baggagecling

    1 day ago

    Wedding Crashers champagne celebration gif here.

    1
    Reply
  21. CFS77

    1 day ago

    About damn time

    Reply
  22. WhiteSx2024

    1 day ago

    Atlanta just needs a body lmao

    Reply
  23. GhostofShoelessJoe

    1 day ago

    Seems hasty
    Apparently CUBs trust all their other RPs more than Ryan. Experience in offseason can be valuable just limit his IP

    Reply
    • Led Hoyer

      1 day ago

      I am not sure he had a clean inning all year. Absolutely atrocious. Every inning was an adventure

      1
      Reply
      • Unclemike1526

        7 hours ago

        Thought I was having Deja Vu all year and watching Neris last year.

        Reply
  24. libertybell444

    1 day ago

    He’ll be a Phillie bc they like old guys.

    Reply
  25. Redstitch108* 2

    1 day ago

    Angels. Then release Garcia (who you just traded for).

    1
    Reply
  26. Unclemike1526

    1 day ago

    As my Dad told me when he threw me out at 17, Don’t let the door hit you in the ___ on the way out.

    1
    Reply
    • kgcubs

      7 hours ago

      Aloha uncle, if Jed was such the great negotiator I wonder why he didn’t say to Houston, Pressly and his entire salary plus tucker for paredes, Wesneski and say Triantos. Instead 2 separate trades and smith gone. Have to say I was worried that he was going to trade the farm away for a bunch of rentals or all the top prospects for 1 starter. Maybe in the off season a more reasonable deal comes together. Horton pitched well today and so did Baltimore’s Rogers. Mahalo

      Reply
  27. Larry D.

    1 day ago

    Age makes an appearance.

    Reply
  28. LonnieB

    1 day ago

    Come to the Braves! He would be an average reliever in ATL right now

    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      1 day ago

      How about Carrasco tonight? He got the job done. Hope he can win a couple more games and leave on his own terms when the year ends.

      2
      Reply
  29. mafiabass

    18 hours ago

    Could be a good project for a team that probably should have done more— the Red Sox!

    Reply
  30. CaptainHooks

    13 hours ago

    Once Ryan Pressly is released, he can go back to the Minnesota Twins Post Fire Sale party for the remainder of the year at league minimum. Pressly will be an upgrade over whatever other stiffs the Twins will have in relief after trading away all five of their best relievers. Gives Pressly a chance to retire as a Twin, which is were he started.

    Reply
  31. upstart17

    11 hours ago

    Why doesn’t Kingsford sponsor pitchers Who specialize in how to get lit up?

    2
    Reply
  32. BigBopper

    7 hours ago

    Has nothing left. Period.

    Reply
  33. stuart schlotterbeck

    5 hours ago

    Here in Baltimore we need any pitching we can get for the rest of the year. At the pro-rated league minimum salary, Elias should sign him.

    And I don’t like Stroman, but again at the league minimum salary Elias might as well sign him too. It’s only for two months, then they’d both be FA.

    1
    Reply
  34. Oppo nacho

    5 hours ago

    Probably better than Barlow, get him reds

    Reply

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