Brandon

Hughes

The Cubs have to trim down their roster a bit quicker than most teams as they’re traveling to Japan to open the season against the Dodgers on March 18. The biggest surprise here is Nicky Lopez, who had been expected to land a bench spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. That means that Vidal Brujan and Rule-5 selection Gage Workman should each travel with the team to Japan. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Lopez ultimately get released and explore other opportunities elsewhere.

Hughes, 29, was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks at the end of the season after forging an 8.15 ERA for Arizona in 2024. The 29-year-old left-hander will likely be a candidate for one of the final spots in the Chicago bullpen, but he’ll have to pitch well in the Cactus League to earn a spot.

Because he gave up eight homers, Hughes had an 8.15 ERA in 17 2/3 innings for Arizona last season. He was far more successful in a tough environment at Triple-A Reno, posting a 2.03 ERA in 48 2/3 innings. He’ll compete for a spot in some team’s pen next spring.

Hughes is added back to the MLB roster for the second time, and to say he wasn’t effective his last go round with the D-Backs is quite the understatement as seen in a 10.29 ERA and 2.14 WHIP in 14 innings. He’ll be low-leverage depth, and he takes the roster spot of Ryne Nelson.

The procedural move opened up a spot on Arizona’s 40-man roster ahead of Friday’s contest against the Pirates. The 28-year-old lefty hasn’t made an appearance for the Diamondbacks since late June.

Hughes holds an astronomical 10.29 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 18/7 K/BB ratio across 14 innings (12 appearances) this season in the big leagues. He’s headed back to the minors this weekend to make room for Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen to return from the injured list.

Hughes gets the call back to the majors ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Phillies as extra left-handed relief depth for Arizona. The 28-year-old southpaw has struggled to a ghastly 10.13 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 11/6 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings (nine appearances, two starts) this season in the big leagues.

Hughes heads back to the minors amid a flurry of roster moves for Arizona to re-shuffle their bullpen mix. The 28-year-old lefty has struggled this season to a disastrous 10.13 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 11/6 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 innings (nine appearances, two starts) in his Arizona debut.

Brandon Hughes had recorded the first two outs of the game as the opener. Nelson came in for the final out and shut down the Dodgers over five frames, scattering five hits and three walks with five strikeouts to earn the win. The 26-year-old right-hander ends the day with a 6.03 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, and a 28/10 K/BB ratio across 34 1/3 innings. His next outing should come against the Rangers in Texas next week.

He’ll take the roster spot of Slade Cecconi, who was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday. Hughes, 28, has appeared in three games for the Diamondbacks this season, registering a miserable 13.50 ERA, 2.62 WHIP and a 4/1 K/BB ratio over 2 2/3 innings of work. He’ll add a fresh arm to a depleted Diamondbacks’ bullpen.