Cubs Sign Veteran Swingman Amid Pitching Injuries

Ty Blach joins Chicago's system on a minor league deal to provide pitching depth.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:40pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in muted earth tones depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes, conveying the fragmented state of the Cubs' pitching staff.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's motion captures the fragmented, multi-angled nature of the Cubs' pitching staff amid a rash of injuries.Denver Today

The Chicago Cubs have signed left-hander Ty Blach to a minor league contract as they deal with multiple injuries to their pitching staff. Blach, a veteran swingman, will provide depth and flexibility for the Cubs' rotation and bullpen after injuries to key starters Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Justin Steele.

Why it matters

The Cubs' pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, forcing the team to seek out additional depth options like Blach to stabilize the roster. As a versatile pitcher capable of starting or relieving, Blach could play an important role if the Cubs' injury woes continue.

The details

Blach, a fifth-round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2012, has major league experience dating back to 2016. He's pitched for the Giants, Orioles, Rockies, and Rangers, compiling a career 5.87 ERA over 190.2 innings. While he's not a power pitcher, Blach has shown an ability to generate ground balls, which could play well with the Cubs' strong infield defense.

  • The Cubs signed Blach to a minor league deal on April 15, 2026.

The players

Ty Blach

A left-handed pitcher who has spent time in the majors with the Giants, Orioles, Rockies, and Rangers, signing a minor league deal with the Cubs.

Cade Horton

A Cubs starting pitcher currently shelved due to injury.

Matthew Boyd

A Cubs starting pitcher currently shelved due to injury.

Justin Steele

A Cubs starting pitcher currently shelved due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“With the Cubs' elite defensive infield, that could serve Blach well, should he be elevated. With this being a minor league deal, it's a low-risk, high-reward deal that will, at the very least, help solidify the Cubs' pitching depth in this trying time.”

— Matthew Singer, Author

What’s next

If the Cubs' injury luck continues, Blach could be called up to the major league roster soon to provide pitching depth.

The takeaway

The Cubs' decision to sign veteran swingman Ty Blach to a minor league deal highlights the team's need to bolster its pitching staff amid a rash of injuries. Blach's versatility and ground ball tendencies could make him a valuable depth piece if he's able to earn a promotion to the big league club.