Caleb Thielbar DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Chicago Cubs have placed right-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar (paternity) on the paternity list. In a corresponding move, the Cubs have recalled Tom Cosgrove from Triple-A Iowa. Thielbar has been deployed as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen through the opening month of the campaign. Across his first 13 2/3 innings of work, Thielbar has held a 3.29 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. Across this stint, he has struck out 14 batters and served up seven walks. Thielbar has typically been deployed in the seventh inning and has tallied three holds and one save. He has also blown two save opportunities. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Ryan Pressly to continue to operate as the go-to option in the ninth inning, with Porter Hodge being the setup man. When Thielbar does return, he will only hold value in NL-only formats that reward holds.

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that they signed former Minnesota Twins left-hander Caleb Thielbar to an undisclosed one-year deal. Thielbar will provide veteran left-handed depth for Chicago's bullpen heading into the 2025 season. The 37-year-old former 18th-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2009 out of South Dakota State University has pitched for the Twins in all eight of his big-league seasons since debuting in 2013. He held a 5.32 ERA (4.10 FIP) and a 1.56 WHIP with a career-high three saves, 53 strikeouts and 24 walks in 47 1/3 innings over 59 relief appearances in 2024. It was one of Thielbar's worst seasons of his career, but the Cubs are hoping he can bounce back after striking out a third of the batters he faced from 2021 to 2023.

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar earned his third save of the season in Monday's 3-1 win over the Mariners. Thielbar came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two and delivered a 1-2-3 outing with two strikeouts. Closer Jhoan Duran was called upon to face the top of the order in the eighth inning, so Thielbar got the save opportunity. The 37-year-old veteran has gotten off to a rough start this season with a bloated 6.14 ERA in 7 1/3 innings pitched. His fantasy value will remain limited if he continues to pitch poorly, as it seems unlikely that he would earn high-leverage situations.