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Cubs Bullpen Report: Relievers Trending Up and Down
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- Cubs Bullpen Report: Relievers Trending Up and Down
The Chicago Cubs bullpen has produced solid numbers this year.
This unit has the 12th-lowest ERA (3.69), the 10th-fewest walks (90), the ninth-lowest WHIP (1.25), and the fifth-lowest batting average on balls in play (.267). Despite all the injuries this bullpen has dealt with, they have been a reliable group in 2026.
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That makes now a good time to look at which relievers are trending up and trending down in this Cubs bullpen. Here are two relievers who are in a groove on the mound and one reliever struggling to find his footing.
Trending Up: Jacob Webb
Jacob Webb did not get off to a strong start in his Cubs career. He had a 5.06 ERA in his first 10 ⅔ innings pitched and allowed a run in six of his first 13 relief appearances. Webb did not look like the same pitcher who finished with a sub-3.05 ERA in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025.
Since the calendar turned to May, though, something has clicked for him. He has allowed just one run in his last 17 2/3 innings pitched (0.51 ERA) and has not given up a run in his last 11 appearances out of the bullpen. The last time Webb allowed a run was almost a month ago (May 9).
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The veteran right-hander has emerged as the top setup man in this Cubs bullpen. He has a 2.22 ERA and is missing bats at an elite clip. Webb currently ranks in the top 20% of the league in chase rate (33.7%), whiff rate (32.2%), and strikeout rate (28%).
Trending Down: Caleb Thielbar
The Cubs re-signed Caleb Thielbar to a one-year deal this past offseason to operate in the same role as 2025. This was a role Thielbar was fantastic in last year, as he finished with a 2.64 ERA and 56 strikeouts across 58 innings.
Unfortunately, Thielbar has not been as dependable in the later innings this year. He has a 4.04 ERA and 17 strikeouts on the season and is currently trending down the trust ladder in Chicago's bullpen. The southpaw has allowed a run in four of his last eight appearances.
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Thielbar is no longer the go-to left-handed pitcher out of the bullpen for manager Craig Counsell. He only has one hold this season after totaling 25 holds in 2025.
Trending Up: Ryan Rolison
Ryan Rolison has been a big-time pickup for the Cubs. After being designated for assignment by three different teams this past winter, Chicago claimed the left-hander back on January 7. Both sides are now repeating the benefits.
Rolison has a 2.49 ERA and 21 strikeouts across 21 ⅔ innings pitched this season. He has not allowed a run in each of his last seven appearances out of the bullpen and has thrown 9 ⅓ scoreless innings since May 18.
Although the 28-year-old hasn't missed a lot of bats (17.3% whiff rate), he continues to thrive in his role. Rolison has gotten more than three outs in four of his last seven relief appearances.
