Hughes (knee) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
After recovering from another bout of left knee inflammation, Hughes will return to the Cubs' bullpen Friday night against the Twins. He's been limited to five appearances this year.
Hughes (knee) threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hughes said he felt good during and after the workout, and the Cubs are expected to provide an update Thursday on the next step forward for the rehabbing reliever. He's made only five major-league appearances this season due to lingering left knee inflammation.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Another bullpen Wednesday
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Hughes returned to the injured list at the end of April with left knee inflammation after missing the first two weeks of the 2023 regular season with the very same issue. He's trending in the right direction now, but the Cubs figure to play this a bit more carefully than they did the first time around.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Advances to mound work
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Hughes' inflamed left knee responded well to playing catch Friday, so he'll take the next step forward in his throwing progression by getting back on the mound to close out the weekend. Because he's on the injured list for the second time this season with a left knee issue, Hughes may not be a lock to be activated from the IL in the minimum 15 days. He'll likely need to make at least one or two minor-league rehab appearances prior to being reinstated.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Playing catch
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will play catch Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes went back on the injured list a second time last weekend with a nagging knee issue but is ready to start ramping things back up again. Given his previous setback, the Cubs figure to proceed more cautiously with the southpaw this time around.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Returns to injured list
Rotowire
Hughes was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 27, with right knee inflammation, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
It's the same issue that caused Hughes to miss the first two weeks of the 2023 regular season, and he might need even more time off this time around. Caleb Kilian is up from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and will start for the Cubs on Saturday at Miami.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Activated off injured list
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) was activated off the 15-day injured list by the Cubs on Saturday.
Hughes has been out since the start of the season due to soreness in his left knee. The southpaw should be a late-innings option for the Cubs now that he's healthy. Nelson Velazquez was sent back down to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.
Hughes (knee) is set to make his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes will get in another tune-up outing after he struck out one over a scoreless inning Saturday for Iowa while scattering two hits and a walk. If Hughes' left knee checks out fine following his upcoming appearance Tuesday, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list ahead of this weekend's series in Los Angeles.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Set for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Joey Pollizze of MLB.com reports.
Hughes first started experiencing soreness in his left knee a couple weeks ago but has been throwing without issue for a while now. He should be ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after a couple rehab appearances and figures to work his way back into high-leverage spots.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: To throw again Wednesday
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) is scheduled to throw again in a simulated setting Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes made it through a round of live batting practice Sunday without issue and is ready take another step in his recovery from left knee inflammation. It sounds like he could join the Cubs' bullpen sometime next week if all continues to go smoothly. The left-hander might be in line for some save opportunities as the 2023 season rolls along.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Live batting practice scheduled
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will throw live batting practice Sunday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Hughes missed the start of the season due to left knee inflammation, but the issue doesn't seem likely to cost him too much time. He'll be eligible to return April 11.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Move to IL official
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.
Hughes was sidelined for the last week of spring training with left knee soreness, and the Cubs opted for an IL stint rather than rushing him back for Opening Day. The left-hander threw a bullpen session Monday and will be eligible to be activated April 11.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Likely trending toward IL
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) is expected to open the season on the 15-day injured list, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Though Hughes was able to throw a bullpen session Monday and looks to be making solid progress in his recovery from left knee soreness, the fact that he hasn't yet resumed facing hitters with Opening Day just three days away suggests that the Cubs will err on the side of caution and stash him on the IL to begin the season. Assuming he's able to return after a minimum-length stay on the IL or close to it, the left-handed Hughes should factor into the Cubs' late-inning mix once healthy, though he may not be manager David Ross' preferred option for save situations.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Completes bullpen session
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) tossed a bullpen session Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes won't be part of the pitching schedule in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox and may not take the mound for Tuesday's spring finale either, clouding his status for Opening Day. The 27-year-old southpaw turned in a 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB while converting eight saves over 57.2 innings as a rookie last season, and though he's expected to remain part of the Cubs' late-inning equation in 2023, Hughes may not manager David Ross' first choice to close games.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) threw off a mound Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes has dealt with left knee inflammation throughout spring, which may wind up sending him to the injured list. Saturday's session was a sign of progress, but it remains unclear if he'll have time to finish his build-up process before Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Dealing with left knee issue
Rotowire
Hughes said Thursday he's been dealing with some discomfort in his left knee, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The injury explains why it has been a full week since Hughes last pitched in a Cactus League game. It doesn't sound like a significant issue, but any type of discomfort is concerning this close to Opening Day. The 27-year-old left-hander is expected to work in a high-leverage role out of the Cubs' bullpen this season, though Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger are thought to be the frontrunners for saves.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Out of closer mix?
Rotowire
With Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger viewed as the Cubs' top closing options, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Hughes may have to settle for setup work.
Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the team in the offseason and have plenty of experience in big relief spots, so it makes sense that the Cubs view them as their top closing options. Hughes did pick up eight saves toward the end of last season, though he may also be Chicago's only left-handed reliever to start this year; therefore, the team may use him at different points in games based on matchups. The 27-year-old may see his fantasy value diminish if he's not closing out contests, but he could have some appeal in leagues that count holds.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Easing into spring work
Rotowire
The Cubs are easing Hughes into Cactus League action after the lefty set a career high in innings pitched last season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hughes has yet to appear in a spring contest, which is by design after he logged 57.2 innings in relief last season. That's not a particularly high number, but the converted outfielder tossed only 17 innings in the minors the year before, which was his first time on the mound as a professional. The lefty should once again be a key bullpen weapon for the Cubs, possibly closing out games, though Rowan Wick along with newcomers Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger could factor into the mix as well.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Has new bullpen competition
Rotowire
Hughes will likely compete with newcomers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer for back-end roles in Chicago's bullpen to begin the year, Mike Axisa of CBS Sports reports.
Righties Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the mix in the offseason, joining fellow righty Rowan Wick and the lefty Hughes at the back of Chicago's bullpen. Hughes had eight saves and a strong 3.12 ERA in 2022, but the Cubs may mix and match to close games in 2023, which could limit the upside of all these pitchers.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Locks down eighth save
Rotowire
Hughes retired the final out of Saturday's win over the Reds via strikeout to earn the save.
Manuel Rodriguez started the ninth inning for the Cubs, but the team turned to the lefty Hughes to face left-handed pinch hitter TJ Friedl, who he retired on three pitches to earn his eighth save of the year. Rodriguez, however, has seemingly emerged as the team's preferred closing option with a few days left in the season. Both players could be in the mix for saves heading into 2023, depending on what Chicago does in the offseason.
