MESA, Ariz. — If Cubs manager David Ross has things his way, newly acquired reliever Brandon Workman will be taking the ball in high-leverage spots this season. Workman’s one-year deal was made official on Thursday.
The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off of a season in which he struggled, going 1-4 with a 5.95 ERA in 21 games with the Red Sox and Phillies. But the Cubs believe he can get back to being the pitcher who had a 1.88 ERA over 71 games in 2019.
“[Workman] is a guy I got a lot of history with,” Ross said. “We played together in 2013 on that championship team in Boston. So I’ve got some background there. I’ve kind of followed his career a little bit. The year he had in [2019], it was pretty impressive out of the bullpen in Boston.
“I think he’s a guy who’s gonna pitch big innings for us. I see him fitting in. He’s got a true four-seam ride. Breaking-ball guy, which is really big in the game right now. He’s a guy that is a really good competitor and a great teammate. Fun to be around, works his tail off, and does everything you ask. I see him pitching big innings for us.”
Workman’s arrival comes right on time as the bullpen has already been affected by injury with the news of Rowan Wick’s intercostal injury and Kyle Ryan going on COVID-19 list.
But besides Craig Kimbrel closing in the ninth, there are very few spots in the bullpen that aren’t up for grabs. While many of the relievers are the same, their roles in 2021 are still to be determined.
“Things play out as they go,” Ross said. “Guys will show you what they’re made of and who they are and build that trust. Just like we saw last year. There was a lot of uncertainty going into last year and things kind of moved in different ways. And you just communicate and flow as you go.
“We’re definitely going to need those back-end of the bullpen guys to lock down the wins. But we also going to need some guys to pitch multiple innings and be stretched out. ... Different guys will fill in different roles and move in from the starting rotation may be back to the bullpen and given different opportunities.”
