Trent

Thornton

Webb helped set up Trent Thornton last night, but this makes two saves in four days for him. He threw just nine pitches tonight and seven on Tuesday, so maybe the Cubs would risk having him close again on Thursday. It’d also be a third straight day for Thornton if he were to work again.

It’s his third save in 221 career relief appearances. The 32-year-old has a 2.63 ERA in 27 1/3 innings over 22 appearances since being called up by the Cubs two months ago, and he’ll remain an option in the ninth until Daniel Palencia returns.

Thornton came in to protect a one-run lead with a runner starting on second in the bottom of the tenth, and he did just that. The 32-year-old has done a nice job in his time with the Cubs, and he was rewarded with his first save of 2026 while lowering his ERA to 2.89 in the process. Thornton has had success in the majors — mostly with Seattle — but it seems unlikely he’s going to get a ton more save chances.

Thornton had been away from the club since Tuesday as he welcomed a new addition to the family. The 32-year-old righty has been exceptional since joining the Cubs on May 6, registering a 1.69 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 6/7 K/BB ratio over his 16 frames.

Thornton will be away from the club for a couple days on paternity leave. The 32-year-old has posted a strong 1.69 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 6/7 K/BB ratio across 16 innings of work for the Cubs since May 6.

Thornton joins Chicago’s relief mix for Wednesday’s game against the Reds with starter Matthew Boyd (knee) hitting the injured list. The 32-year-old journeyman has made 235 career appearances in the big leagues since 2019. He’s posted a respectable 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa this season.

The move was announced by Tread Athletics, where Thornton has been training this offseason. He spent the last three seasons with the Mariners posting a 3.65 ERA in 140 2/3 innings. He tore his Achilles in August but was reportedly up to 93 mph on his fastball in a pro day workout and looking healthy. If he is healthy, he has a chance to win a spot in Chicago’s bullpen.

Saucedo was designated for assignment Tuesday. Thornton suffered a torn Achilles over the summer, and isn’t expected to be ready until the middle of the 2026 season.

Thornton isn’t going to be ready to pitch until some point next year, so this is just a procedural move to clear a space on the 40-man roster.

Thornton should be ready to resume throwing at some point right around the outset of spring training after suffering a left Achilles tear during last week’s relief appearance against the Cubs.