Cubs Add Veteran Vince Velasquez in Search of Bullpen Success for 2026 Season

The Chicago Cubs are continuing their strategy of revitalizing veteran pitchers, and their latest move involves the addition of Vince Velasquez, a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher with nine years of Major League Baseball (MLB) experience. The Cubs signed Velasquez to a minor-league contract on Tuesday, adding him to their growing list of potential bullpen options as spring training approaches. While the Cubs have not yet updated their official list of non-roster invitees, Velasquez is expected to join the major league camp in Arizona next week, competing for a spot in the bullpen as part of the team’s plans for the 2026 season.

The signing of Velasquez marks another calculated risk by the Cubs, who have found success in recent years with pitchers who struggled to find consistency elsewhere. With the pitching staff in need of depth and improvement, Velasquez’s high strikeout potential and veteran experience make him an intriguing addition to the mix.

Velasquez’s MLB Journey and Track Record

Velasquez’s name is well-known among baseball fans, especially those who have followed his career with the Philadelphia Phillies between 2016 and 2021. Over his career, he made a total of 133 appearances, including 116 starts, compiling a 4.93 ERA. While his overall numbers don’t scream elite starter, Velasquez was always known for his ability to generate strikeouts. He recorded 642 strikeouts over 582 2/3 innings, which is a solid rate and showcases his ability to overpower hitters at times.

After his tenure with the Phillies, Velasquez bounced around to several teams, including the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. His journey took a difficult turn when he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2023, which forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. Following his recovery, Velasquez returned to action in 2025, pitching for the Cleveland Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate before moving to the Korean Baseball Organization, where he played for the Lotte Giants. While Velasquez’s MLB career has been marked by inconsistency, his strikeout ability and resilience to return from surgery make him an intriguing prospect for the Cubs as a potential bullpen contributor.

Cubs’ Strategy: A History of Pitching Turnarounds

The Cubs have a history of taking pitchers who have underperformed or struggled with injuries and helping them rediscover success. In 2025, Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz both found success in the Cubs’ bullpen after previously struggling in their careers. Keller, for example, had a standout year, and Pomeranz also emerged as a valuable option. By signing Velasquez, the Cubs are clearly hoping to repeat that success and find another diamond in the rough to strengthen their bullpen for the 2026 season.

With this philosophy, the Cubs have turned to veteran pitchers with high strikeout rates, even if they’ve had issues with consistency in the past. Velasquez fits the mold perfectly: despite his struggles in the starting rotation, his ability to rack up strikeouts gives him a high ceiling as a bullpen piece. The Cubs will likely focus on maximizing his strengths, including his electric fastball and his ability to miss bats, in hopes of turning him into a reliable reliever.

The Cubs’ Pitching Depth and Spring Training Competition

The addition of Velasquez also adds to what is shaping up to be a highly competitive spring training for the Cubs’ pitching staff. With several pitchers vying for a spot in the bullpen, including other non-roster invitees like Trent Thornton, Collin Snider, and Corbin Martin, the competition will be fierce. The Cubs’ bullpen has shown promise in recent years, but it still has room for improvement, especially in a division that is home to some of the most potent offenses in baseball.

Spring training will serve as a crucial time for Velasquez and the other pitchers to prove themselves. The Cubs’ coaching staff will closely evaluate how Velasquez looks in game situations, assessing his velocity, movement, and control to determine if he can help solidify the bullpen. If Velasquez can stay healthy and replicate his strikeout success from previous seasons, he could be a key contributor in 2026.

The Cubs’ Bullpen Needs and Velasquez’s Potential Role

While Velasquez has never fully proven himself as a consistent starting pitcher at the major league level, the Cubs are hoping he can find a home in their bullpen. A move to relief could allow him to focus on his best stuff without the demands of starting, and with the Cubs’ bullpen needing more depth and consistency, Velasquez could fill a valuable role.

The Cubs’ bullpen struggled at times in 2025, and finding reliable arms to back up closer Brad Boxberger and setup man Michael Fulmer is critical for the team’s success in 2026. Velasquez could potentially slot into a middle-relief or long-reliever role, where he can be used in high-leverage situations to generate strikeouts, or even be called upon in a closer-by-committee role if needed. His versatility and ability to throw multiple innings could give the Cubs the flexibility they need, particularly as the season wears on and injuries inevitably take a toll on the pitching staff.

A Critical Opportunity for Velasquez

For Velasquez, this is a critical opportunity to prove that he can still contribute at the major league level after an injury-filled 2023 and a year away from the bigs in 2024. If he can stay healthy and harness his strikeout potential, Velasquez could find himself a key member of the Cubs’ bullpen in 2026. This season could determine whether his career in MLB continues on an upward trajectory or if he’s relegated to a backup role once again.

The Cubs’ Long-Term Plans and Velasquez’s Impact

Ultimately, the Cubs are building a team for the long term, and adding depth in the bullpen is a critical part of that plan. With a strong core of young talent and a few veteran acquisitions, the Cubs are positioning themselves as a team to watch in 2026. Velasquez’s addition is part of a larger strategy to bolster the bullpen and give the team more flexibility in high-stakes situations.

As spring training kicks off, Velasquez will have to prove himself against a crowded field of contenders for bullpen spots. However, his combination of experience, high strikeout potential, and the Cubs’ track record of helping pitchers turn their careers around could make him a key asset for the team in 2026. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Velasquez can find success in a new role and help push the Cubs closer to their championship aspirations.

Conclusion

The Cubs’ decision to add Vince Velasquez to their roster is another example of their commitment to finding overlooked talent and maximizing their potential. Whether Velasquez becomes a reliable bullpen piece or not will depend on his health and performance in spring training. If he can rediscover his form and stay healthy, he could be an important part of a Cubs bullpen that looks to make a playoff push in 2026. Only time will tell, but the Cubs are clearly hoping that Velasquez can become the next success story in their pitching revival strategy.