Former Dodgers Breakout Reliever Signs With NL Rival

Oct 14, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Yency Almonte (38) throws a pitch in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres during game three of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images | Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

After missing most of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery, the Chicago Cubs have brought back former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yency Almonte on a minor league deal.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN reported the news via X.

The Cubs are bringing back pitcher Yency Almonte on a minor league deal. He appeared in 17 games for them last year. Has a career 4.44 ERA.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 4, 2025

Almonte, 30, joined the Cubs as a secondary piece in last winter’s trade involving Michael Busch. He became part of Craig Counsell’s middle relief corps, making 17 appearances before his season was cut short.

Over 15.2 innings, he allowed seven runs (six earned), striking out 20 while issuing eight walks. However, a shoulder strain sidelined him in May, ultimately leading to season-ending surgery in July.

The Cubs are bringing back Yency Almonte on a minor league deal.

His sinker (17.8 inches of arm-side movement) and sweeper (15.3 inches of glove-side movement) create a 33.1-inch differential.

Almonte has the stuff to be a solid reliever, this a good move for the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/KhPPb831QX

— The Wrigley Wire (@TheWrigleyWire) March 5, 2025

Since debuting in 2018, Almonte has pitched 223 major league innings across three teams. His best season came in 2022 with the Dodgers, when he posted a 1.02 ERA over 35 innings, along with an impressive 398 ERA+ — a small sample size but a testament to his dominance that year.

Seeing his potential, the Cubs ensured he was part of the trade that brought Busch over from Los Angeles.

Yency Almonte, K'ing the Side with Sweepers. pic.twitter.com/h1EplUyaot

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 5, 2024

In two seasons in Los Angeles, the righty reliever recorded a 3.35 ERA, 82 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP in 83.1 innings pitched and 82 games. 

Almonte settled with the Dodgers in November 2023, signing a one-year, $1.9 million deal to avoid arbitration for 2024.

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Over 196 career appearances with the Colorado Rockies, Dodgers, and Cubs, Almonte holds a 4.51 ERA. After an impressive 1.02 ERA across 33 outings in 2022, his performance dipped last season, posting a 5.06 ERA over 49 games with 49 strikeouts and 24 walks in 48 innings.

Almonte's fastball, which averages 95-96 mph, includes both a sinker and four-seamer, but in 2023, his most-used pitch was a sweeper, thrown 50.1 percent of the time.

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For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.