Chicago Cubs

Brian Duensing Reportedly Returning to Cubs' Bullpen

The Chicago Cubs reportedly added another piece to their bullpen on Wednesday, as they inked Brian Duensing to a two-year deal.

Duensing, who posted a 2.74 ERA and struck out 61 batters for the Cubs last season, will make $7 million in the deal, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

The move is hardly a surprising one for a Cubs team that is seemingly preparing to give Mike Montgomery a chance to pitch his way into the starting rotation. Duensing gives them another solid left-handed arm in case that ends up happening, and he pitched well enough last season for a $3.5 million annual salary to potentially be a bargain.

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Duensing also gives them more depth as they prepare for life without Wade Davis this season. Davis signed a lucrative deal with the Colorado Rockies over the offseason, meaning that players like Brandon Morrow and Pedro Strop will likely be competing for the closer’s job.

That could give Duensing an opportunity to fill into a seventh inning role with the Cubs as well, and his flexibility will give Joe Maddon yet another option in a bullpen that is one of the deepest in baseball. 

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