The Chicago Cubs have dumped veteran pitcher Chris Flexen ahead of the trade deadline, designating the right-hander prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Flexen signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in the offseason and was called up from Triple-A in early May. He was unbelievable through his first 12 appearances with the Cubs, but has fallen off a cliff ever since.
The Cubs have called up 27-year-old reliever Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa to replace Flexen in the bullpen.
Flexen made his season debut on May 2, and recorded a three-inning save against the Brewers. That began a stretch of 21.1 consecutive scoreless innings that was snapped until June 22, against the Seattle Mariners.
During his scoreless streak, Flexen wasn’t necessarily dominating hitters as he only recorded 13 strikeouts, but the outs kept coming. However, once Flexen went downhill there was no stopping his slide. In his final nine games with the Cubs, Flexen posted a 6.04 ERA in 22.1 innings, which included the righty allowing seven home runs and a K/BB ratio of 9/6.
He last pitched Monday night in relief, coming in to a 6-4 game in the seventh inning. Flexen was greeted by a leadoff single and then gave up a two-run homer to Christian Yelich, doubling Milwaukee’s lead.
Overall with the Cubs, Flexen recorded a 3.09 ERA in 43.2 innings.
The Cubs will certainly be adding another starting pitcher and possibly two before the trade deadline passes. Flexen’s presence in the bullpen won’t be needed as Colin Rea will most likely return to his swingman role as a reliever following his start Tuesday night.
As for Hollowell, the right-hander has looked great in his limited time in the majors with the Cubs. He has a 1.17 ERA in six big-league appearances since he was acquired by the team in 2024. The right-hander has given up one run in 7.2 innings, striking out six batters to only two walks. His overall numbers haven’t been good at Triple-A this year as Hollowell has a 5.24 ERA in 22.1 innings, but he does have a 32.7 K%.
Hollowell’s ERA in Iowa is inflated by one bad appearance, when he gave up five earned runs in 0.2 innings. Aside from that blow up, Hollowell has a solid 3.32 ERA in his other 21.2 innings of work. He has a minor league option left, so he might only be up for the next couple days before the Cubs make a few trades.
