Pressly said at his introductory press conference with the Cubs on Wednesday that he was told by the team he would close some games this season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Pressly went on to compliment incumbent closer Porter Hodge and added that he planned to go into spring training competing for the ninth-inning gig. While Hodge fared well as the Cubs' closer down the stretch of the 2024 season, Pressly should enter 2025 as the clear favorite for the role. The 36-year-old has regressed over the last two seasons but has still been plenty effective, holding a 3.54 ERA and 132:34 K:BB over 122 regular-season frames.
Cubs' Ryan Pressly: Traded to Cubs after waiving NTC
Rotowire
Pressly will waive his no-trade clause and is set to be traded by the Astros to the Cubs in exchange for Juan Bello, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The Astros will also be sending money to help cover some of Pressly's $14 million salary, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The trade is pending Pressly passing his physical, but the expectation is that the 36-year-old right-hander will be the Cubs' closer for the 2025 campaign. Bob Nightengale of USA Today relays that the move also opens the door for the Astros to bring Alex Bregman back. Pressly appeared in 59 regular-season games for Houston in 2024, registering 25 saves with a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:18 K:BB across 56.2 innings.
Pressly pitched 1.2 scoreless innings while allowing two hits to earn the save Saturday against the Angels.
Pressly entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced but still managed to escape the frame with a one-run lead. The ninth inning was less adventurous for Pressly, and he picked up his fourth save. Josh Hader had pitched three times in the last four games and in back-to-back contests, leaving him unavailable Saturday.
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