Cubs Give a Comeback Pitcher a Second Chance

Kyle Wright, who once threw for 21 wins in a season with the Braves, has signed a minor‑league contract with the Cubs and earned an invitation to spring training. The 30‑year‑old right‑hander is aiming for his first major league start in three years. Wright was the fifth overall pick in the draft and delivered an outstanding 2022 campaign, recording a league‑leading 21 victories. He finished tenth in the Cy Young voting after pitching 180⅓ innings with a 3. 19 ERA and nearly one strikeout per inning. The Braves viewed him as a future cornerstone before injuries derailed his progress. In 2023, he appeared in only nine games and ended the season on the disabled list after shoulder surgery. The Braves released him during the offseason, and he was claimed by the Royals.Wright spent two seasons in Kansas City’s system without pitching in the majors. The 2024 year was meant to be a comeback, but lingering shoulder soreness and an oblique strain kept him on the injured list. He was sent down to Triple‑A, where his fastball velocity dropped to 92 mph—about three miles per hour lower than during his prime. For the Cubs, signing Wright is a low‑risk move that could pay off if he regains his earlier form. Chicago will monitor how he performs in Iowa before deciding whether to give him a chance in the big leagues. The deal highlights how injuries can alter a promising career, but also shows that teams are willing to give talented players another opportunity.