Cubs add infielder Nicky Lopez and
reliever Drew Pomeranz to roster
[April 24, 2025]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs added infielder Nicky Lopez and
reliever Drew Pomeranz as part of a flurry of moves before Wednesday
night's 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lopez signed a one-year contract and Pomeranz was placed on the
roster two days after he was acquired in a trade with Seattle. It
was announced that Pomeranz would report to Triple-A Iowa after the
deal, but he watched Tuesday night's 11-10 victory over the Dodgers
at Wrigley Field.
Infielder Gage Workman was designated for assignment, and
right-hander Gavin Hollowell was optioned to Iowa. The NL Central
leaders also transferred left-hander Justin Steele to the 60-day
injured list.
Designated hitter Seiya Suzuki was scratched because of right wrist
soreness. He aggravated a previous injury during Tuesday's win.
“We've banned the headfirst slide for Seiya,” manager Craig Counsell
said. “He's day to day again, unfortunately.”
Closer Ryan Pressly was unavailable after he had his right knee
drained on Tuesday night. Counsell said he is hoping Pressly will be
ready for Friday's series opener against Philadelphia.
Lopez spent most of spring training with Chicago, but he opted out
of his minor league deal on March 21. He signed with the Los Angeles
Angels and went 0 for 6 in five games before he was designated for
assignment on Friday.
The 30-year-old Lopez is from Naperville, about 35 miles west of
Chicago. He played for the crosstown White Sox last year, batting
.241 with a homer and 21 RBIs in 124 games.
“It was cool to live out the dream of playing for a hometown team,
so to be able to come north and do that is special,” he said. “So I
definitely don't take it for granted. I am going to go out there and
give it my all and do everything I can to help this team win.”
Lopez can play all over the infield, but his biggest value for
Chicago might be at third base. Matt Shaw began the year as the
starter, but the prospect was sent down after he got off to a slow
start. Workman started at third on Tuesday and committed two errors.
“You're going to see multiple third basemen I think in the game on a
day-to-day basis, and I think Nicky fits and is able to kind of
execute that profile,” Counsell said.
Pomeranz signed a minor league contract with Seattle on March 27. He
went 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA and two saves in nine appearances with
Triple-A Tacoma.
The addition of Pomeranz puts another left-hander in a Chicago
bullpen that is off to a shaky start. The Cubs began the day with a
5.34 bullpen ERA.
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Chicago Cubs' Nicky Lopez warms up before a baseball game against
the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Chicago. (AP
Photo/Erin Hooley)
But the 36-year-old Pomeranz has been hampered by a
variety of shoulder and arm injuries, including flexor tendon
surgery. He hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2021; he
signed a one-year contract with San Francisco last May, but did not
get into a 2024 game with the Giants.
“Since I got hurt in 2021, I've just been trying to get back,” he
said. “I got back for a little bit last year. I mean I was up for
four days, but I knew I was up for four days. And then I kind of
went home after that. To be honest, I didn't think I was going to
play anymore.”
But Pomeranz wanted to get back into a big league game, so he
eventually started throwing again in the offseason.
“I'm just happy to be here,” he said. “Literally feels like the
first time all over again.”
Pomeranz has a connection to Counsell. He had a 2.39 ERA in 25
appearances with Milwaukee in 2019 while Counsell was in the dugout
with the Brewers.
He is 48-58 with a 3.91 ERA in 289 games (140 starts) over 11 years
in the majors, also playing for Colorado, the Athletics, San Diego,
Boston and San Francisco.
Also Wednesday, Counsell said Javier Assad was on his way to Chicago
to visit with doctors after he experienced more discomfort on his
left side. The right-hander, who is coming back from a left oblique
strain, pitched four innings in his second rehab start with Iowa on
Tuesday.
Workman, 25, was a Rule 5 draft pick from Detroit. If he clears
waivers, the Cubs have to offer him back to the Tigers. He went 3
for 14 with two RBIs in nine games with Chicago.
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