When the Chicago Cubs signed Drew Pomeranz to a minor league deal this past winter, most fans barely blinked. After all, this was a pitcher who hadn’t thrown a big-league pitch since 2021, whose name had all but disappeared from the baseball conversation. Yet fast forward to June 2025, and the veteran left-hander has not only made it back to The Show, but he’s become one of the most dependable arms in the Cubs’ bullpen — a storyline that feels straight out of a movie script.
Pomeranz, now 36, has gone from long-shot reclamation project to vital bullpen weapon in a matter of months, and his resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time. With injuries and inconsistencies plaguing Chicago’s relief corps early in the season, Pomeranz was promoted to the majors in late April after a dominant start in Triple-A Iowa. Since then, he’s been lights out. In 22 appearances, he has posted a minuscule 1.61 ERA with a WHIP under 1.00, striking out hitters at a clip reminiscent of his All-Star days with San Diego. He’s not just surviving out there — he’s attacking, overpowering, and finishing games with the poise of a pitcher reborn.
What makes this comeback even more incredible is the road Pomeranz had to travel just to get here. Following multiple arm surgeries and a near-retirement in 2023, he spent most of the last two years away from professional baseball altogether. He was coaching youth ball in Tennessee, throwing occasional bullpen sessions in high school gyms, and contemplating what life after baseball might look like. But something inside him never let go of the dream. When Cubs scouts saw him touching 92 on the radar gun during a January showcase, they made a call. The rest is rapidly becoming legend.
His story is quickly earning admiration both inside and outside the clubhouse. Teammates describe him as a quiet leader, someone who leads by example and never complains. Manager Craig Counsell has started to lean on him in high-leverage spots, and after a pair of clutch eighth-inning holds in back-to-back division games, Pomeranz is officially part of the Cubs’ bullpen backbone. The fans are taking notice, too. Wrigley has erupted on multiple occasions as Pomeranz worked out of jams with vintage curveballs and heaters up in the zone. It’s clear that this is more than just a good stretch — this is a pitcher who found himself again.
Pomeranz himself remains humble, quick to credit the Cubs’ coaching staff and his family for their support. “I’m just grateful to be here,” he said after a recent win. “I’ve been through a lot, and every time I take the mound now, I remind myself what a privilege this is.” That mindset has helped fuel a comeback that is now turning heads across the league, with analysts praising his pitch mix, command, and ability to handle pressure.
In a season already marked by drama and surprises, Drew Pomeranz might be the most feel-good story of them all. While he may not be the flashiest name on the roster, his grit, determination, and results speak volumes. And if the Cubs keep climbing in the standings, don’t be surprised if Pomeranz finds himself pitching in meaningful October games — a scenario that seemed unthinkable just a few months ago.
From forgotten veteran to bullpen hero, Drew Pomeranz’s journey is a reminder that in baseball, anything is possible — and sometimes, the most unexpected stories are the most powerful.