Cubs trade for reliever, Ryan Pressly designated for assignment |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers and cash considerations from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor-league outfielder Ivan Brethowr. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Ryan Pressly has been designated for assignment. The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players.
Rogers, 34, who was acquired by the Pirates yesterday, is 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA (9 ER/33.0), 34 strikeouts and just three home runs allowed in 40 relief appearances for the Reds this season. At the time of the trade with Pittsburgh, his 2.45 ERA paced Cincinnati relievers and was second among all Reds pitchers (min. 10 G). He has not allowed an earned run (three unearned runs) in his last 12 games since June 20 and is one of six major league pitchers with at least 10 appearances to have a 0.00 ERA in that span. The lefty has allowed multiple earned runs in an outing just twice this season. In his 10 big-league seasons, the 34-year-old Rogers is 30-36 with a 3.28 ERA (191 ER/523.2 IP), 83 saves and 607 strikeouts while pitching for Minnesota (2016-21), San Diego (2022), Milwaukee (2022), San Francisco (2023-24) and Cincinnati (2025). He’s one of three active left-handed relievers in Major League Baseball with 600 strikeouts, along with Aroldis Chapman (1308) and Josh Hader (826). Rogers’ 2.42 ERA (25 ER/93.0 IP) since the beginning of 2024 is the seventh-lowest mark in the N.L. (min. 100 G). The six-foot three-inch Rogers spent his first six major league seasons with Minnesota, including a 30-save season in 2019 and an All-Star campaign in 2021, during which he went 2-4 with a 3.35 ERA (15 ER/40.1 IP) and 59 strikeouts in 40 games. The lefthander was then traded to San Diego in April 2022 and then from San Diego to Milwaukee in August 2022 for left-handed pitcher Josh Hader. He registered 31 saves in 2022, 28 with San Diego and three with Milwaukee. A Denver, Colo. native, Rogers was selected by Minnesota in the 11th round in 2012 out of the University of Kentucky. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Minnesota Twins Carl R. Pohlad Outstanding Community Service Award. Brethowr, 22, is batting .221 (58-for-263) with 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 26 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 83 games with High-A South Bend this season. He was selected by the Cubs in the seventh round in 2024. Pressly, 36, went 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA (20 ER/41.1 IP) and five saves in 44 games in relief for Chicago this season. Rogers is ready. pic.twitter.com/57eKiBts1V
