Ryan

Rolison

It was a collective effort to close this one out. Ryan Zeferjahn had recorded the final out in the eighth and returned in the ninth with a three-run lead. He gave up a leadoff hit, but retired the next two batters before Rolison entered for the final out to earn the save.

Ryan Rolison did the heavy lifting in the eighth and ninth, getting five outs before Zeferjahn came in with one man on and punched out Bryan Reynolds to end the game. Rolison was rewarded with the win for his effort. The save is Zeferjahn’s second for the Cubs after he had four with the Angels. It’s possible he’ll get more opportunities, but there’s enough uncertainty in the Cubs pen right now that no one is particularly appealing.

With Daniel Palencia unavailable on Thursday night, Rolison was called upon to protect the slimmest of leads with a pair of left-handers scheduled to bat in the ninth inning. He made it look easy, getting Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn on comebackers to the mound before retiring Christian Yelich on a bouncer to second to end the game. The 29-year-old southpaw holds a 2.93 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 49/24 K/BB ratio over 55 1/3 innings in 51 appearances for the Cubs this season while notching seven victories and a pair of saves.

Rolison came in to retire Jackson Merrill for the final out and for his first save of his MLB career. As depleted — and ineffective — as the Cubs’ bullpen has been, it’s not impossible to envision another save chance or two from Rolison, but it certainly isn’t a guarantee nor something fantasy managers should be looking to bet on.

Rolison and Luke Little will both get the chance to help the Chicago bullpen from the left side, according to Birch. The 28-year-old is a former first-round pick who has bounced around organizations since forging a 7.02 ERA with the Rockies.

Dean was claimed off waivers twice this offseason after playing a bench role for the Dodgers in the World Series. He’ll provide bench help if called upon.

So far this offseason, Rolison has been designated for assignment by the Rockies, traded to the Braves, designated for assignment by the Braves, claimed by the White Sox, designated for assignment by the White Sox, and claimed by the Cubs. That’s a busy couple of months. The 28-year-old Rolison posted a 7.02 ERA in 31 appearances for the Rockies in 2025.

The White Sox just claimed Rolison off waivers from the Braves on December 12th, but they will now waive him to make room for newly signed Sean Newcomb. The 28-year-old Rolison posted a 7.02 ERA in 31 appearances for the Rockies in 2025 and will try to latch on with another team to get another crack at an MLB job.

Rolison was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Thursday, and the claim happens just a day later. The former first-round pick will be at risk of hitting the waiver wire again if/when Chicago adds another player to the 40-man roster.

The Braves gave up some cash to acquire Rolison from the Rockies last month, but now he’s off the 40-man, probably to be claimed by another team. The 28-year-old hasn’t enjoyed any major league success, having posted a 7.02 ERA in 31 appearances for the Rockies, but it’s easy to imagine another team having more luck with him in relief.