BRANDON HUGHES NEWS

Continuing rehab assignment Tuesday Hughes (knee) is set to make his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for rehab assignment Hughes (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Joey Pollizze of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To throw again Wednesday Hughes (knee) is scheduled to throw again in a simulated setting Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Live batting practice scheduled Hughes (knee) will throw live batting practice Sunday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Move to IL official Hughes (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.

Impact 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.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely trending toward IL Hughes (knee) is expected to open the season on the 15-day injured list, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Completes bullpen session Hughes (knee) tossed a bullpen session Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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, but he appears on track to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the 2023 season. 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.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throws off mound Hughes (knee) threw off a mound Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can't rule out IL stint Cubs manager David Ross said Thursday that he couldn't rule out Hughes (knee) requiring an IL stint, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Hughes hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since March 16, and he acknowledged to reporters Thursday in Cubs camp that he's been battling lingering left knee inflammation for much of the spring. It's shown up in his production on the mound, as the 27-year-old left-hander has yielded three earned runs on five hits and three walks through four innings this spring. The hope is that he can return to live action this weekend, which would alleviate some of the concern. But the clock is ticking fast toward Opening Day.

MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with left knee issue Hughes said Thursday that he's been dealing with some discomfort in his left knee, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact That explains why it has been a full week since Hughes last pitched in a Cactus League game. It doesn't sound like a significant injury, 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.

MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of closer mix? 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.

Impact Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the team in the offseason and both 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, so 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.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hughes ready to be bullpen's southpaw standout MESA, Ariz. -- The big leagues probably felt far away for Brandon Hughes a year ago. He was down in Minor League camp, still relatively new...

MARCH 12, 2023 • MLB.COM

Easing into spring work 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.

Impact 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 only tossed 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.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

How the Chicago Cubs are handling the spring workloads for pitchers Brandon Hughes and Keegan Thompson The Chicago Cubs have been deliberate in how they have used Brandon Hughes and Keegan Thompson early in game action this spring.

MARCH 4, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Has new bullpen competition 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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Locks down eighth save Hughes retired the final out of Saturday's win over the Reds via strikeout to earn the save.

Impact 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 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.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up hold Hughes allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning as the Cubs defeated the Phillies 2-1 Tuesday.

Impact After converting the Cubs' last save opportunity, Hughes was called upon to protect a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. He recorded a lineout followed by a walk and a double play to retire the Phillies but was pulled after allowing a leadoff single in the ninth inning. Manuel Rodriguez quickly recorded three outs to end the game and earn Hughes his seventh hold. Since the team traded David Robertson on Aug 2, manager David Ross has followed somewhat of a closer-by-committee approach, leading to Hughes recording four saves and four holds in the month of September.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns seventh save Hughes (ankle) picked up the save Sunday in Pittsburgh, retiring the only batter he faced in an 8-3 win.

Impact Hughes entered the game with two outs and the bases loaded and got Diego Castillo to line out to end the game. It was his seventh save of the season and fourth since Sept. 9. The lefty was removed from Thursday's game after he rolled his ankle but was healthy enough to pitch Sunday after not being used the last two nights. He's likely to have save opportunities down the stretch but the Cubs may also use him in high-leverage situations earlier in ballgames.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs rookie reliever Brandon Hughes — a former outfielder — has been a developmental success: 'Very consistent and is poised' Once an outfielder, Chicago Cubs left-hander Brandon Hughes has emerged in the bullpen, becoming an important organizational development.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Tweaks ankle Thursday Hughes exited Thursday's win over the Pirates after he rolled his ankle, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact The 26-year-old retired only one of the four batters he faced and allowed a hit and two walks before he exited with the injury. Manager David Ross said he believes Hughes is "going to be fine," though the left-hander figures to be unavailable for at least a day or two.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down sixth save Hughes gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Marlins.

Impact The rookie southpaw continues to look fairly comfortable in a high-leverage role. Over his last 16 appearances, Hughes has picked up a win, three holds and all six of his saves while posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB through 17 innings.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches second save Hughes gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in an 8-7 win over the Brewers. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

Impact The 26-year-old moved into a high-leverage role this month, and Hughes has picked up saves in two straight appearances. Rowan Wick had worked in back-to-back games when Hughes got his first save Thursday, but Wick was the more rested pitcher Friday, so the fact that Milwaukee had Christian Yelich and Rowdy Tellez due up in the ninth in this one likely played into manager David Ross' thinking when he called for the lefty. Hughes has better overall numbers on the season as well with a 2.95 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 49:13 K:BB through 39.2 innings, so this looks like a closer tandem for now, and he could even take over the job completely from Wick if the latter stumbles.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Collects first save Hughes allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Orioles.

Impact Rowan Wick pitched on consecutive days entering Thursday's game so was likely unavailable. That gave Hughes an opportunity in the ninth inning. Though the tying reached scoring position -- Zach McKinstry committed an error in addition to the hit surrendered -- Hughes got Cedric Mullins to line into a game-ending double play to tally his first career save. Wick appears to have a clear grip on the closer role for the Cubs, but Hughes has been excellent across 38.2 innings this season by maintaining a 3.03 ERA and 49:13 K:BB.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Thriving since July 1 Hughes has collected one win while providing an 0.69 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 13 innings over his 14 appearances out of the Cubs bullpen since July 1.

Impact Though Hughes hasn't yet been asked to handle a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, that could be in the forecast for the left-hander in the aftermath of Tuesday's trade deadline, which saw the Cubs ship out closer David Robertson and key setup men Scott Effross, Mychal Givens and Chris Martin. Manager David Ross hasn't outlined his plans for the bullpen since the deadline, and no save chances have opened up over the Cubs' last six games, but Hughes' recent form makes him a candidate to at least factor into the late-inning mix. Rowan Wick, who has recorded 15 career saves and has turned in eight straight scoreless appearances, is the likely the Cubs' top choice to handle closing duties if Ross doesn't choose to take a committee approach.

AUGUST 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first MLB win Hughes (1-0) worked around two hits and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Friday against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

Impact Appearing in his 16th game at the MLB level, Hughes earned his first win, though he didn't make it easy. Coming on with one on and one out in the sixth, he struck out the first hitter he faced, but then allowed a single and a walk to load the bases. Another single brought home an inherited runner to make it 5-3 Boston, but a play at the plate prevented any more damage. The Cubs then rallied to score three in the bottom of the inning to set Hughes up for the win. The lefty has a 4.26 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 19 innings this year and should remain in a middle relief role for now.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE