Chicago Cubs Take Gamble On Hard-Throwing Reliever

The Chicago Cubs have made their second signing this offseason. 

After signing big right-hander Gabe Klobosits to a Minor League deal earlier this month, the Cubs made another Minor League signing. They signed right-handed pitcher Bruno Lopez to a two-year Minor League deal with an invite to MLB Spring Training. 

Teams don’t often sign players to multi-year Minor League deals, so this is definitely out of the norm for the Cubs. However, they likely believe that Lopez can figure things out over the next two years. 

Lopez signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on a Minor League deal back on January 7, 2020, as a young 17-year-old. He then spent seven years in the Cardinals organization before electing free agency at the conclusion of the 2026 season. 

He threw the ball well in his first two seasons at the Foreign rookie ball level as part of the Dominican Summer League. Lopez posted a 2.38 ERA and 22 strikeouts across 22 ⅓ innings with the Cardinals Red in 2021 and then posted a 2.59 ERA and 30 strikeouts across 24 ⅓ innings in 2022. 

However, injuries have kept Lopez from advancing through the Minor League ranks. He missed the entire 2024 season with an injury and then missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone chips (according to Meghan Montemurro). 

In his last season in 2025, Lopez pitched at both the rookie ball level and Single-A. He finished with a 5.87 ERA and a 38% strikeout rate over 15 ⅓ innings at the rookie ball level and posted a 1.50 ERA (one run allowed across six innings) and 10 strikeouts at Single-A. 

Obviously, the Cubs are taking a bit of a gamble on Lopez with this signing. He hasn’t pitched at a level higher than Single-A and has dealt with some injuries in recent years. Signing him to a two-year deal gives the pitching staff more time to work with the young right-hander. 

Lopez has the tools to develop into something in the future. He’s a hard-throwing pitcher who averages 98-99 mph on his fastball. The Cubs can certainly work with that velocity and help him grow into a complete pitcher. 

This signing was definitely a long-term, developmental move by the Cubs. He still has a ton to work on, including limiting walks and being more effective with all of his pitches. Chicago is willing to take the gamble on the 24-year-old.