Vince Velasquez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Becomes free agent Velasquez elected to become a free agent Tuesday.

Impact Velasquez was removed from the Cubs' 40-man roster Sunday after making one scoreless appearance. He could wind up re-signing on a minor-league contract, but the veteran righty will have the ability to negotiate with all clubs.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Loses 40-man roster spot The Cubs designated Velasquez for assignment Sunday.

Impact Velasquez will be cede his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to left-hander Jordan Wicks, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and is expected to handle a bulk-relief role in Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee. After being promoted from Iowa on Wednesday, Velasquez made one appearance out of the bullpen during his four-day stay with the Cubs, tossing a scoreless inning in Saturday's 8-2 win.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected by Cubs The Cubs selected Velasquez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Velasquez will give the Cubs' bullpen some length during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets. The veteran hurler spun 2.1 scoreless frames in his lone appearance in the majors earlier this season.

JUNE 24 • ROTOWIRE

Former Cubs reliever elects free agency following roster move | Sporting News After being outrighted earlier in the week, Vince Velasquez has made up his mind regarding his time with the Chicago Cubs.

MAY 1 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Clears waivers The Cubs outrighted Velasquez to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Impact After being designated for assignment Sunday and then clearing waivers, Velasquez had the ability to elect free agency and pursue his options on the open market, but he looks like he'll wind up sticking in the Cubs organization. The veteran right-hander made one appearance out of the big-league bullpen upon being called up from Triple-A last Friday, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings. He'll likely shift back into a starting role with Iowa.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Cubs designated Velasquez for assignment Sunday.

Impact The veteran right-hander was added to the big-league roster Friday but won't retain his roster spot despite firing 2.1 scoreless frames Saturday versus the Dodgers. Velasquez will now go through the waiver process, after which he could elect to become a free agent, assuming he goes unclaimed.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Dodgers Snap Cubs' 10-Game Winning Streak Behind Roki Sasaki's Outing

Roki Sasaki earned his second major league victory as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to beat the Cubs 12-4.

APRIL 26 • FOX SPORTS

Dodgers Snap Cubs' 10-Game Winning Streak Behind Roki Sasaki's Outing

Contract selected The Cubs selected Velasquez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Impact Velasquez signed a minors deal with Chicago in the offseason and has since posted a 3.71 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 17 innings at Iowa. The 33-year-old will now return to the majors for the first time since 2023 to round out the Cubs' bullpen following Caleb Thielbar's (hamstring) move to the injured list.

APRIL 25 • ROTOWIRE

Signs minors deal with Cubs The Cubs signed Velasquez to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Impact Velasquez made it back to the majors briefly in 2025 with the Guardians but did not make an appearance. He collected a 3.42 ERA and 95:50 K:BB over 81.2 innings with Triple-A Columbus last season before finishing the year with the Lotte Giants in Korea. Velasquez, 33, will give the Cubs some experienced rotation depth at Triple-A Iowa.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Heading to Korea The Guardians released Velasquez on Wednesday.

Impact Velasquez is headed to Korea to sign with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization. The right-hander has spent all of the 2025 season with Triple-A Columbus, posting a 3.42 ERA and 95:50 K:BB over 81.2 innings. Velasquez has not pitched in the big leagues since 2023.

AUGUST 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heading to Korea The Guardians released Velasquez on Wednesday.

AUGUST 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A The Guardians outrighted Velasquez to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

Impact Velasquez passed through waivers unclaimed after exiting the Guardians' 40-man roster and it appears he'll remain in the organization rather than electing free agency. The righty didn't make an appearance during his brief time with Cleveland and holds a 6.00 ERA and 11:16 K:BB over 15 innings covering four starts with Columbus this season.

MAY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Guardians designated Velasquez for assignment Friday.

Impact Velasquez was added to the major-league roster earlier this week but didn't make an appearance. He'll likely clear waivers and, assuming he does, would have the ability to elect free agency.

MAY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in big leagues The Guardians selected Velasquez's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Impact Velasquez is being promoted even after he posted a 6.00 ERA and 11:16 K:BB over 15 innings covering four starts with Columbus. He appears likely to be used only in mop-up duty.

APRIL 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Goes to Cleveland as NRI The Guardians signed Velasquez to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Velasquez made just nine appearances in 2023 and zero in 2024, but he should be fully recovered from UCL surgery on his right elbow. The 32-year-old was last seen in the big leagues with the Pirates in 2023, when he posted a 3.86 ERA and 37:14 K:BB over 37.1 frames. Velasquez will likely open the 2025 season in the rotation at Triple-A Columbus.

FEBRUARY 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

'Hit the reset button': Velasquez on why he had surgery This story was excerpted from Justice delos Santos’ Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get i...

JULY 8, 2023 • MLB.COM

'I would love to' | Vince Velasquez meets with reporters for first time since surgery, discusses desire to return to Pirates next year LOS ANGELES – Roughly 35 miles away from his hometown of Montclair, Calif., Vince Velasquez found himself in a different kind of familiar se...

JULY 7, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Moves to 60-day IL The Pirates transferred Velasquez (elbow) to the 60-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow earlier this month, so his move to the 60-day IL doesn't come as much of a surprise. The 31-year-old righty will end the season with a 3.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 37 strikeouts through 37.1 innings. He'll become a free agent this offseason and figures to return midway through 2024.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Velasquez undergoes season-ending UCL surgery PITTSBURGH -- As Vince Velasquez sat at his locker in the visiting clubhouse of T-Mobile Field on May 28, he expressed optimism that he woul...

JUNE 9, 2023 • MLB.COM

Report: Pirates P Vince Velasquez (elbow) out for season Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Vince Velasquez underwent season-ending elbow surgery Friday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported

JUNE 9, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Undergoes elbow surgery Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery Friday on his right elbow, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Velasquez was originally diagnosed with elbow inflammation when he landed back on the injured list May 28, but further testing revealed the need for a surgical repair. The 31-year-old right-hander finishes the 2023 campaign with a 3.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in eight starts (37.1 innings) with the Pirates. He is scheduled to become a free agent this winter.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for MRI Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Velasquez is set to undergo an MRI and receive further medical opinions after the right-hander exited his start in Saturday'...

Impact Velasquez was shelved for about three and a half weeks with elbow inflammation before he returned from the 15-day injured list Saturday, only to suffer a setback with his throwing arm two innings into his start and returning to the IL a day later. The 30-year-old implied that he'll likely be in store for a lengthier absence than the previous one in his second stint on the IL, though he's optimistic that he'll pitch again in 2023. Expect a clearer timeline as well as a more precise diagnosis of his injury to become available once the results of the MRI are read.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates put RHP Vince Velasquez (elbow) back on IL The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander Vince Velasquez on the 15-day injured list Sunday, a day after his return from a previous bout wi...

MAY 28, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Pirates pitcher Vince Velasquez 'optimistic' on elbow, still faces long road ahead Speaking Sunday morning, Vince Velasquez said he’s optimistic he’ll pitch again this season and not require surgery.

MAY 28, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Shelved with elbow discomfort The Pirates placed Velasquez on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right elbow discomfort, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact After returning Saturday from a stint on the 15-day IL due to elbow inflammation, Velasquez lasted just two innings into his start against the Mariners before succumbing to a related injury. The Pirates haven't provided a firm diagnosis or timeline for Velasquez's return, but in light of his latest elbow-related setback, the right-hander acknowledged that he'll likely be in store for a longer period of time off than he had during his first stint on the IL, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Velasquez added that he's confident he'll be able to pitch again this season, but his absence for at least the next few weeks should reopen the door for the struggling Roansy Contreras to re-enter the rotation.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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