Trent

Thornton

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.

The 31-year-old hurler suffered the unfortunate injury while covering first base on a ground ball at the end of Thursday’s game. He’ll miss the remainder of the season. Jackson Kowar was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move to take his place in the Mariners’ bullpen.

Thornton was hurt on his first move to go cover first base on a grounder during Thursday’s game. He’ll almost certainly go on the injured list prior to Friday’s game.

This was scary. Thornton looked exhausted after issuing a walk to Ian Happ in the eighth inning, and nearly stumbled over and had to be visited by an EMT during the visit. He’s been replaced by Casey Legumina. The guess is that this is heat exhaustion, but more details should be provided shortly.

Thornton returns to Seattle’s bullpen mix ahead of Saturday’s game against the Angels after missing nearly one month recovering from an appendectomy.