Cubs Sign Trent Thornton to Minor League Contract
The Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Trent Thornton to a minor league contract. This agreement was first disclosed on Instagram by his trainers at Tread Athletics. The deal includes a non-roster invitation for Thornton to participate in spring training.
Trent Thornton’s Career Overview
Trent Thornton has played in the Major Leagues for parts of seven seasons. He previously pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. At 32 years old, Thornton found more success with the Mariners, recording a combined 3.65 ERA over 140 and two-thirds innings from 2023 to 2025.
2023 Season Performance
- 4.68 ERA in 42 and one-third innings.
- Struggled early in the season, suffering a five-run innings meltdown.
- Ended the season due to a torn Achilles injury.
Despite these challenges, Tread Athletics reports that Thornton is making good progress in his rehabilitation and is ahead of schedule. Sources indicate that he has already returned to the mound and will be ready for spring training.
Career Highlights
Thornton began his MLB career as a starter for the Blue Jays, making 29 appearances and pitching 154 and one-third innings as a rookie in 2019. However, after struggling in 2020, he transitioned to a relief pitcher.
His career saw a significant turnaround after joining the Mariners, where he achieved notable numbers:
- 2023 Season: 2.08 ERA over 26 innings.
- 2024 Season: 3.61 ERA across 72 and one-third innings.
- Pitched with an average fastball of 95.5 mph and relied heavily on a mid-80s slider.
During his time with the Mariners, Thornton recorded a 22.5% strikeout rate while maintaining a low walk rate of 6.6%. His ground-ball rate stood at 39.7%, slightly below the league average.
Competition for a Spot in the Bullpen
While Thornton’s signing does not guarantee him a position in the Cubs bullpen, he aims to follow a successful path similar to that of pitcher Brad Keller. The Cubs’ bullpen has become more competitive following offseason acquisitions, including:
- Phil Maton
- Hoby Milner
- Hunter Harvey
- Jacob Webb
- Colin Rea (re-signed)
- Caleb Thielbar (re-signed)
These additions, combined with holdover Daniel Palencia, will shape the core of Chicago’s pitching staff. Thornton will likely compete for one of the last spots in the bullpen. A strong performance in spring training or early in the Triple-A season could position him as an early call-up in case of injuries within the team.
