The veteran hurlers hit free agency after potentially triggering contract opt-outs. While Hendriks dominated Triple-A hitters with scoreless frames, Bummer struggled before both relievers exited the organization.
The Chicago Cubs have released two veteran pitchers from their organization.
According to the Iowa Cubs transaction page, the Cubs have released both Liam Hendriks and Aaron Bummer. Both were signed as free agents after the season started, but neither is with the organization anymore.
What likely happened here is that both Hendriks and Bummer had opt-out clauses in their Minor League contracts. If the Cubs didn’t call them up by a specific date, both pitchers could opt out of their deal and head to free agency.
It’s obviously surprising to see both pitchers released from the organization, especially Hendriks, who appeared to be knocking on the door of a promotion. The three-time All-Star pitched well in his first four appearances with the Iowa Cubs.
He didn’t allow a run in any of his four appearances and threw four scoreless innings with one hit, one walk, and five strikeouts. His .063 batting average against and 0.40 WHIP were really encouraging signs that Hendriks could provide some meaningful innings out of the Cubs’ bullpen.
Instead, Hendriks will head to free agency.
There’s a chance that the 37-year-old reliever could wind up back in Chicago’s organization after testing the free agent market. But for now, Hendriks will look for a new home following a strong showing with the Iowa Cubs.
As for Bummer, he wasn’t as sharp on the mound as Hendriks at Triple-A. The veteran southpaw allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeouts across four innings pitched (four appearances) in his time in Iowa.
Bummer definitely struggled a bit down at Triple-A before being released. He allowed runs in three of his four appearances, had a 1.50 WHIP, and opposing hitters were batting .333 against him in the early going.
If you also take a look at his underlying metrics, it's clear that Bummer wasn’t quite ready to be promoted to the big league roster. The 32-year-old had a .449 xwOBA, .739 expected slugging percentage, 15.8% strikeout rate, 26.7% barrel rate, and a 95.5% zone-contact rate.
Like Hendriks, Bummer could return to the organization after testing the free agent market. However, he doesn’t quite look the part to contribute innings out of the Major League bullpen anytime soon if he does re-sign.
The Iowa Cubs also made another move last weekend, releasing Kyle Wright from the organization. Wright signed a Minor League deal with the team in early February, but he hasn't appeared in any games this season.
