Vince

Velasquez

It’s possible Velasquez winds up back with Chicago on a new minor league pact in the coming days, but he’ll test the free agent waters after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 34-year-old journeyman was jettisoned from the Cubs roster over the weekend after tossing a scoreless frame against the Brewers.

The cycle continues. Velasquez looked sharp in his lone inning of work against the Brewers on Saturday, needing just 12 pitches (seven strikes) to retire all three hitters that he faced in order. He has yet to allow a run and holds a microscopic 0.30 WHIP in 3 1/3 innings with the Cubs this season. It’s possible that he could pique the interest of a pitching-starved club on waivers.

Velasquez made one appearance for the Cubs back in April, his first in the majors since 2023, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings before being designated for assignment and clearing waivers. The 34-uear-old has made six starts and four relief appearances for Iowa, amassing a 6.15 ERA and a 40/25 K/BB in 33 2/3 innings. He last worked five days ago, throwing 73 pitches, so if nothing else, he can provide some length in today’s doubleheader.

Velasquez will stick around as emergency depth with the injury-depleted Cubs after tossing 2 1/3 scoreless frames in his lone relief appearance for the club last week. The 33-year-old journeyman has made 192 appearances in the majors between six different organizations dating back to 2015.

Velasquez pitched well in his lone appearance with the Cubs, firing 2 1/3 innings of shutout baseball while allowing just one hit and striking out one. It may have been enough to pique another team’s interest on waivers. Phil Maton was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Sunday.

The 33-year-old hurler will get a shot to work out of the Cubs’ bullpen with Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) heading to the injured list on Friday. Velasquez hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since making eight appearances for the Pirates during the 2023 campaign.

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.

Velasquez hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2023 season. He made 18 starts at Triple-A Columbus for the Guardians in 2025 before moving to the Korea Baseball Organization where he struggled to an 8.23 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and a 28/18 K/BB ratio across 35 frames. He’s nothing more than extra rotation depth for the Cubs and can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Velasquez, 33, had returned from Tommy John to go 5-4 with a 3.42 ERA and a 95/50 K/BB in 81 2/3 innings for Triple-A Columbus this season. The nine-year major league veteran heads to Korea with a 38-51 record and a 4.88 ERA over nine big-league seasons.

Velasquez allowed three hits while striking out eight and walking two. He now has a 2.66 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 73/38 K/BB ratio in 64 1/3 innings in Triple-A this season. The Guardians haven’t needed much rotation depth this year, but Velasquez is certainly on the radar if they need another starter.