The Cubs bullpen may be getting one of their key offseason signings back from injury. According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, right-hander Phil Maton is currently with the team in Los Angeles for their series against the Dodgers. He could be activated tomorrow or Monday, per manager Craig Counsell.
Maton was one of several additions that the team made to the bullpen. Between Maton, Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar, Hoby Milner, and Jacob Webb, Maton received the biggest contract at two years and $14.5MM. He was coming off a very strong 2025 season split between the Cardinals and Rangers. In 61 1/3 innings between the two clubs, Maton had a 2.79 ERA and solid peripherals, including a 23.4% K-BB rate. The latter figure was nearly double the league average, while his 1.5 fWAR put him among the top 15% of qualified relievers. He also excelled at managing contact, allowing just three home runs all season and inducing groundballs at an above-average 44.4% rate.
Chicago has not been able to benefit from Maton’s services thus far. He appeared in five games and allowed six earned runs in four innings through April 7. The club noticed that Maton’s velocity had declined with each game and suspected injury. Three days later, he landed on the 15-day injured list with right knee tendinitis. The right-hander was not expected to miss much time, and indeed, it looks like he’ll be able to rejoin the team without a minor league rehab assignment.
When he returns, Maton will upgrade a relief corps that is a weak spot on a team that is otherwise doing very well. Entering play today, the Cubs were tied for first in the NL Central with a 17-9 record. The offense has a 124 wRC+ that is second only to the Dodgers, while the starting rotation ranks seventh in the Majors with a 3.51 ERA. The bullpen has been tougher to evaluate. On the surface, their 3.40 combined ERA is a solid figure. However, the group’s 4.49 expected ERA suggests a bit of luck in that performance. Of course, all of this comes in a small sample size, so the team is probably keeping an eye on their bullpen rather than hitting the panic button this early in the season.
Looking ahead, the bullpen is going to see a bit of turnover in the next month or so. In addition to Maton, the team’s injured list currently includes Harvey, Thielbar, and Daniel Palencia. Thielbar just landed on the IL yesterday and may be the furthest off, although all three are expected back some time in May. That could spell demotions for Ryan Rolison and Corbin Martin. Journeyman Vince Velasquez was selected yesterday and could realistically lose his spot if he’s still on the roster at that point.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Gorski, Imagn Images
Sorely needed
But not needed sore.
Are we sure that’s something to look forward to?
I think Maton adds value to the bullpen, though not as part of the temporary closer committee.
If you had told me in the off-season that the Cubs signed Maton to a one year deal at $5 million, I would have said well done. But I was quite surprised that they gave him the second year.
I definitely disagree with this assessment. Phil Maton has an excellent year in 2025. If not for this injury, he would be a solid setup 8th inning RP. Now with Palencia, again, injured, Maton has a chance to close once he proves he’s healthy and on track with his stuff. IMO
Phil Maton is awful. His agent must be Houdini to get him 15 million
You obviously didn’t watch Maton pitch in 2025 and don’t understand the RP landscape.
Or more likely, Svenjolly.
Your comments are awful.
Anytime Maton gets put into the game ..(bill Murray) -“well it’s groundhog’s day again. ” And then ‘Phil is that you.? Phil Connors? And that guy is Craig counsell getting knocked the f out.
Meatball Maton isssssss…. back!
As an Astros supporter, I laughed when I read this;
“When he returns, Maton will upgrade a relief corps ”
You would have to be joking.
Maton could close for the Astros and be better than what you have until Hader returns. You must be joking… Lol
He’s been pretty good for the last three years. Maybe some of you missed it.
He had a minor league assignment.
Maton is good
I’d throw a guess out here that Rolison would be the guy sent down. He has options left.
Either Velasquez or Corbin Martin would have to be DFA as they don’t have options—and since the Cubs are already 21 deep in pitcher usage they really can’t just throw away an arm until they are somewhat sure that Maton, Palencia, Harvey, Roberts are on the plus side of being healthy.
Just need to get through San Diego without getting swept and this 16 game stretch of Phl-NY-Phl-LA-SD will be a resounding success. Actually thought 8-8 would be really nice—but starting 10-2 wouldn’t mind being greedy and getting 12-4. Just want to avoid sweep in SD so Padres don’t get a huge jump on tiebreaker if it comes down to it.
Baseball these days, you really don’t know the team(s) that you are battling for a playoff spot at this point of the season.
I think they keep both and maybe send Assad or Luke Little down
Yeah, from reading the comments on here recently from some of the crazy Cubs fans, you’d think they were under .500 or something.
You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that from the injuries so far