Cubs Replace Struggling Pitcher in Bullpen
The Chicago Cubs have replaced struggling relief pitcher Ethan Roberts with veteran Tom Cosgrove prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. Roberts, 27, allowed four earned runs in Saturday’s 10-4 loss at Wrigley Field.
Roberts was called up on April 9, and has pitched in nine games for the Cubs since. The right-handed reliever got off to a great start, with five straight scoreless appearances. However, Roberts has struggled as of late coming in to pitch in tough spots and allowing inherited runners to score.
Overall, Roberts has recorded a 5.40 ERA in 8.1 innings. Four of the five earned runs that Roberts has surrendered came during Saturday’s two-inning appearance. Not that the Cubs were really threatening to come back against the Phillies, but Robert could not keep Philadelphia’s offense in check and the game quickly turned into a blowout.
Meanwhile, Cosgrove is getting called up after posting four shutout innings in three relief appearances with the Iowa Cubs. The left-handed pitcher began the 2025 season at Triple-A in the San Diego Padres organization. The Cubs acquired Cosgrove in a trade a few weeks back.
Overall in 2025, Cosgrove has given up a three earned runs in 7.2 innings with nine strikeouts and five walks.
Cosgrove is now the third left-handed reliever in the Cubs bullpen, joining long-time veterans Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar.
Cubs Trade for Tom Cosgrove
Last year, the front office made a move with the Seattle Mariners, trading for Tyson Miller and added him to a struggling bullpen. Now, the Cubs have pulled off another similar, but on a smaller scale, trading for left-handed pitcher Tom Cosgrove from the San Diego Padres.
The Cubs acquired left-handed pitcher Tom Cosgrove from the San Diego Padres for cash considerations, the team announced. Also, pitcher Caleb Kilian has been designated for assignment. He was acquired for Kris Bryant back in 2021.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 10, 2025
Cosgrove is in his final option year and hopefully a change of scenery will help after his struggles in 2024. He had a great rookie season in 2023, posting a 1.75 ERA in 51.1 innings. Cosgrove struck out 44 batters in 54 games and had a 0.97 WHIP.
Yo…Tom Cosgrove is nasty. pic.twitter.com/clEIXSiSIK
— Joe Obvious (@joe__obvious) April 11, 2025
Unfortunately, things went south for Cosgrove in 2024, when he only appeared in 18 games with the Padres and recorded an eye-popping 11.66 ERA in 14.2 innings. Overall in parts of two MLB seasons, Cosgrove has a 3.95 ERA with a 21.0 K% in 66 innings pitched.
San Diego kept Cosgrove in Triple-A for most of the year and that’s where he began the 2025 season, failing to make it back on the Padres’ Opening Day roster out of spring training.
Cosgrove was selected in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Padres. The New York native was drafted out of Manhattan College.