Cubs Sign Former All-Star Closer to Minor League Deal

The Chicago Cubs are adding to their bullpen depth.

On Wednesday, the Cubs signed former All-Star closer Liam Hendriks to a minor league deal, as first reported by Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic.

The Chicago Cubs have signed RHP Liam Hendriks to a minor league deal, sources tell the Athletic.

— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) May 13, 2026

Hendriks previously signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins in the offseason, but was released by the organization after he didn't make the Opening Day roster.

Hendriks will be looking to make his season debut in 2026 with the Cubs once he is brought up to the major league roster.

Last season, Hendriks pitched in 14 games (13.2 innings) for the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 6.59 ERA. The right-hander's campaign ended on May 27 due to right hip inflammation that landed him on the IL for the remainder of the year. Hendriks later underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery on his right elbow in late-September.

Hendriks, 37, has overcome a significant amount of adversity in the past several years. He beat cancer in 2023 and returned to the mound to make five appearances on the year. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in that season that knocked him out for the entire 2024 season.

Before he dealt with cancer and Tommy John surgery, Hendriks was an elite closer for the Chicago White Sox, making the AL All-Star team three separate times. He also led the AL in saves in 2021 and won Reliever of the Year in back-to-back seasons.

The Cubs will be hoping that Hendriks can recapture some of his past form in their bullpen that currently ranks 12th in MLB with a 3.77 ERA.

Chicago is currently 2.5 games up on the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs have a 27-15 record and have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last month. The team has lost three games in a row entering Wednesday but have been winners of 21 out of their last 29 games.

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM.