Cubs Sign Gabe Klobosits to 2026 Minor League Deal

The Chicago Cubs are still hunting for bullpen depth and arms with upside. Their latest move sticks to that familiar script. By signing right-hander Gabe Klobosits to a minor-league contract, they’re making a low-risk bet on a power arm with a winding pro journey.

This deal probably won’t make headlines. Still, it’s another sign of how the Cubs keep trying to find value in unexpected places.

Cubs Add Bullpen Depth with Gabe Klobosits

Ari Alexander of 7News Boston reported that the Cubs signed righty reliever Gabe Klobosits to a minor-league deal. It’s not clear if he’ll get a big-league spring training invite, but either way, Chicago just added a veteran arm to their bullpen mix.

Klobosits turns 31 in May. That puts him squarely in the “veteran reclamation project” crowd. Teams often stash these guys in Triple-A, hoping a tweak or a break can change their fortunes.

Limited MLB Experience, But a Taste of the Big Stage

Klobosits’ big-league résumé is short but worth noting. He pitched in 11 games for the Washington Nationals in 2021, tossing 11 1/3 innings. The results? A bit rough—he gave up seven earned runs on 13 hits, walked five, hit a batter, and struck out only five.

Those numbers don’t exactly scream “future closer.” But relievers with tiny sample sizes are tough to judge. Context really matters here.

Strong Minor-League Track Record in 2021

His time in the minors during 2021 told a different story. Over 38 1/3 innings, he posted a shiny 1.64 ERA and struck out nearly 29% of batters.

He did walk a few too many hitters—an 8.8% walk rate isn’t ideal. Still, he showed he could miss bats.

A Career Derailed by Roster Moves

After 2021, things got messy. The Nationals designated him for assignment, and the Oakland A’s grabbed him, then quickly DFA’d and released him too.

He’s bounced between organizations and levels ever since, unable to really stick anywhere for long.

From Triple-A to Independent Ball

In 2023, Klobosits landed with Toronto’s Triple-A team and put up a 4.74 ERA over 19 innings. Not terrible, but not enough to get another shot at the majors.

That pushed him toward independent leagues in 2024 and 2025. Oddly enough, that’s where things started to click again.

Eye-Opening Results Outside Affiliated Baseball

In indy ball, Klobosits put up some eye-catching numbers:

He kept missing bats, but control stayed shaky—walk rates hit 14.4% in 2024 and 9.9% in 2025. Even so, those results probably helped put him back on the Cubs’ radar.

Velocity Spike Sparks Cubs’ Interest

Maybe the most interesting part: Klobosits reportedly found a velocity bump. Recent reports say his fastball’s touched 98 mph, which is a jump from the mid-90s he showed before.

For a team like the Cubs, that’s a big deal. If that extra heat is real and sticks around, it could change everything for his chances.

A Classic Low-Risk, High-Reward Move

The Cubs see Klobosits as a low-risk, potentially high-reward non-roster addition. He doesn’t cost much and adds some depth to the bullpen.

He’s got a minor-league option left, so if he earns a spot, they can call him up without much hassle. In today’s game, bullpen arms come and go all the time—teams have to take shots like this.

Maybe Klobosits never sticks in the majors. But if his uptick in velocity and all that experience actually show up, the Cubs might’ve found themselves a sneaky late-blooming reliever.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cubs To Sign Gabe Klobosits To Minor League Deal