MARCH 9 • SUNTIMES.COM
Nicky Lopez off Cubs' travel roster for Tokyo trip as team makes series of camp cuts Other notable cuts included outfielder Travis Jankowski and left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes.
Fails to make cut The Cubs reassigned Hughes to minor-league camp Sunday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact After turning in an 8.15 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 17.2 innings in the majors with Arizona in 2024, Hughes had to settle for a minor-league deal with the Cubs over the winter. His contract included an invitation to MLB spring training, but the 29-year-old lefty faced long odds to win a spot in the Cubs' season-opening bullpen. Hughes is expected to begin the campaign in a relief role at Triple-A Iowa.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Back with the Cubs, Brandon Hughes aiming to show 'I've got that 'it' factor again' Cubs left-handed releiver Brandon Hughes throws a pitch during a spring training game at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 02-21-2025.
MARCH 7 • SUNTIMES.COM
Returns to Northsiders as NRI The Cubs signed Hughes to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Impact Hughes served as the Cubs' closer for a time in 2022, but his career has been sidetracked since then in large part due to knee problems. The left-hander made 15 appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2024, posting an 8.15 ERA and 21:10 K:BB across 17.2 frames. He'll compete for a bullpen job.
JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE
Bound for free agency The Diamondbacks non-tendered Hughes on Friday.
Impact Although Hughes put up a 2.03 ERA in 48.2 Triple-A innings, he struggled during his time with the big-league squad, logging an 8.15 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 17.2 frames. The 28-year-old reliever will now look to turn things around with a new organization, though he may start off the season in the minors once again.
NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Bound for free agency The Diamondbacks non-tendered Hughes on Friday.
Impact Although Hughes put up a 2.03 ERA in 48.2 Triple-A innings, he struggled during his time with the big-league squad, logging an 8.15 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 17.2 frames. The 28-year-old reliever will now look to turn things around with a new organization, though he may start off the season in the minors once again.
NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Selected from Reno The Diamondbacks selected Hughes' contract from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.
Impact With Ryne Nelson (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Hughes will rejoin the active roster in order to give the Diamondbacks some additional depth in their bullpen. The 28-year-old lefty hasn't found much success in the big leagues with a 10.29 ERA across 14 innings, though he's turned in a 2.08 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 21.2 frames at Triple-A since making his last MLB appearance. Andrew Knizner was DFA'd to create space for Hughes on the 40-man roster.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Booted off 40-man roster The Diamondbacks outrighted Hughes to Triple-A Reno on Aug. 2.
Impact Arizona previously optioned Hughes to Triple-A on June 29, only to move him off the 40-man roster entirely just over a month later. Since being sent back to Reno in late June, Hughes has accrued a 1.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 14.1 innings.
AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Sent back to Reno The Diamondbacks optioned Hughes to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.
Impact Hughes owns a 2.00 ERA through 27 frames at Triple-A, but he allowed four earned runs in 3.1 innings after joining the Diamondbacks' bullpen Sunday. He'll now be sent back to Triple-A to make room for Zac Gallen (hamstring), who was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.
JUNE 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled, opening Wednesday The Diamondbacks recalled Hughes from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. He'll serve as Arizona's opening pitcher for the team's series finale in Los Angeles versus the Dodgers, Jesse Fri...
Impact Hughes allowed four earned runs in 2.2 innings during his first stint with Arizona earlier this month, but he's thrown five innings of one-run ball since returning to Triple-A. The 28-year-old lefty is likely to only pitch an inning or two Wednesday before giving way to Ryne Nelson, who is expected to pitch the bulk of innings out of the bullpen.
MAY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Sent to Triple-A Hughes was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
Impact Hughes joined the big-league roster at the end of April and started out with two scoreless appearances, but he surrendered four runs while recording just one out Saturday versus the Padres. Ryne Nelson (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.
MAY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Hughes' Journey Through Injury Led to Improbable Start The left-hander has fought through injury before making his D-backs debut in an unexpected fashion.
MAY 1, 2024 • SI.COM
Slated for normal offseason Hughes (knee) is expected to have a normal throwing progression this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Hughes was limited to just 17 appearances this season due to a knee issue that eventually required surgery, but he'll go into the offseason without any restrictions. Adbert Alzolay looks like the early favorite to open 2024 as the Cubs' closer, but Hughes should be used in high-leverage spots if he can stay healthy and return to his 2022 form.
OCTOBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Begins rehab assignment Hughes (knee) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Hughes has been on the injured list since June while recovering from a procedure on his left knee. He began throwing off a mound Aug. 15 and started facing hitters again Monday, and he's now set for the final stage of his recovery process. Hughes will likely need to make multiple appearances in the minors before returning to Chicago's bullpen.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Faces hitters Monday Hughes (knee) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact The Cubs relayed that Hughes' throwing session went well, but the club has yet to reveal whether the southpaw is ready to take the next step in his recovery from left knee surgery, which would be pitching in minor-league rehab games. Hughes had the knee procedure in June and will likely require several outings in the minors to get fully ramped up before the Cubs are comfortable adding him back to their bullpen.
AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throwing bullpen sessions Hughes (knee) threw a successful bullpen session Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Impact Hughes is scheduled for another mound workout later this week and could be an option again for the Cubs' bullpen sometime in September if he is able to avoid setbacks in his recovery from June knee surgery.
AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Playing catch again The Cubs announced Sunday that Hughes (knee) has resumed playing catch, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Hughes is in the early phase of his throwing program as he works his way back from the left knee alignment surgery he underwent in late June. Since he opted for a debridement procedure rather than a reconstructive one, Hughes will have a chance to pitch again in 2023, though his return from the 60-day injured list shouldn't be viewed as imminent. A target date for when Hughes might be activated likely won't emerge until he's facing hitters again.
JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Undergoes surgery Hughes underwent surgical debridement of his left knee Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Impact Hughes was originally slated for season-ending knee alignment surgery, but the debridement will significantly reduce recovery time. Hughes will begin his rehab process right away, though it is still unknown whether or not he'll be able to return before the end of the season.
JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Moves to 60-day IL The Cubs transferred Hughes (knee) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Impact With Hughes set to undergo season-ending knee alignment surgery in the next few days, seeing him land on the 60-day IL is hardly a surprise. His transfer makes room on the 40-man roster for Jared Young to be selected from Triple-A Iowa.
JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out for season Hughes will undergo knee alignment surgery at the end of June and will be held out for the rest of the season, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Hughes has battled knee problems all season -- most-recently landing on the injured list June 13 with left knee inflammation -- and the issue is apparently severe enough to warrant season-ending surgery. A move to the 60-day IL is certain to come eventually, and Hughes will end 2023 with a 7.24 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with a 17:8 K:BB through 13.2 frames.
JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Chicago Cubs relievers Codi Heuer, Brandon Hughes out for season The Chicago Cubs bullpen will be without right-hander Codi Heuer and left-hander Brandon Hughes for the rest of the season because of surger...
JUNE 24, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Set to play catch Hughes (knee) will play catch Friday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Impact Hughes made his third trip to the injured list earlier this week when he went down with left knee inflammation. It's a good sign that he's already able to throw, though, perhaps making it possible that he'll require only a minimum IL stay.
JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Back on IL with knee issue Hughes was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to June 12, with left knee inflammation, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact This is already the third IL stint of the year for Hughes, and they have all been related to left knee issues. He's struggled to a 7.24 ERA in 17 appearances for the Cubs when healthy.
JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Activated from injured list Hughes (knee) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact Recovered 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.
MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throws bullpen session Hughes (knee) threw a 32-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact 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.
MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
