The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year deal with right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey, pending a physical examination. Harvey joins a revamped bullpen after an injury-riddled 2025 season with the Kansas City Royals. The signing aligns with president Jed Hoyer's strategy of adding low-cost veteran arms with upside potential.
Chicago's agreement with Hunter Harvey, reported by The Athletic's Will Sammon and Sahadev Sharma, aims to bolster the Cubs' relief corps ahead of the 2026 season. The 31-year-old right-hander, represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council, brings high-leverage experience but carries health concerns.
Harvey's 2025 campaign was marred by injuries while with the Royals. A teres major strain sidelined him from early April until late July, limiting him to just 12 appearances and 10 2/3 innings, where he posted a 0.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts and one walk. He returned for six more games before a Grade 2 adductor strain ended his year. Acquired from the Washington Nationals in July 2024, Harvey pitched only 16 1/3 innings total for Kansas City across 2024 and 2025.
Prior to the trade, Harvey established himself as a reliable closer and setup man with the Nationals from 2022 to 2024. Over 145 relief innings, he achieved a 3.17 ERA, a 27.83% strikeout rate, and a 6.36% walk rate. Known for his control and ability to miss bats despite allowing hard contact, Harvey's fastball averaged 96.1 mph in 2025—his lowest velocity yet—though the small sample leaves room for recovery.
The deal fits Cubs president Jed Hoyer's pattern of targeting inexpensive relievers for depth. Chicago has already signed Phil Maton to a two-year, $14.5 million contract, along with Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Caleb Thielbar. Daniel Palencia remains the primary closer, with Harvey providing ninth-inning backup. Availability remains the key question for Harvey, whose prospect career was also injury-interrupted, but his track record suggests significant value if he stays healthy.
This move is part of a broader bullpen remodel, as the Cubs pursue depth for a potential deeper postseason push without major spending on position players or starters.
