Rays make room for Nick Madrigal while opening door for obvious Cubs bullpen reunion

Former Chicago Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal is once again back in the majors, as the Tampa Bay Rays have selected his contract from Triple-A. Madrigal was previously in the majors this season with the Los Angeles Angels, and will serve as infield depth for Tampa Bay after the loss of shortstop Taylor Walls.

In making room for Madrigal on their 40-man roster, the Rays designated former Cubs relief pitcher Hunter Bigge for assignment. Bigge made 18 relief appearances for the Rays this season, posting an ERA of 6.98 while striking out 16.5% of the hitters he's faced.

The Harvard graduate was drafted by the Cubs during 2019 MLB Draft, and made his debut with the team in 2024. With a fastball sitting in the upper-90s, Bigge flashed signs of turning into a high-leverage option out of the bullpen. He posted a 2.70 ERA through four appearances with the Cubs in 2024, and then was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the Christopher Morel trade.

Initially, Bigge was a legitimate answer for Tampa Bay's bullpen. He posted a 2.57 ERA through 15 appearances, striking out over 32% of the hitters he faced. His 2025 season with the Rays was marred by injuries, first dealing with a lat strain and then a facial fracture after taking a ball to the face while sitting in the Rays' dugout. When all was said and done, Bigge made 13 appearances last year, posting an ERA of 2.40 while striking out 20% of the hitters he faced.

Bigge reported to spring training this year good to go, but the noted struggles made him an obvious DFA candidate for the Rays, considering he had fallen out of favor in terms of their plans for the pitching staff at the big-league level.

Hunter Bigge represents a low-risk option for a Cubs' bullpen looking for answers

Given the need the Cubs have for answers in the bullpen, it wouldn't be out of the question to see the team make a claim for their former draft pick. Bigge's fastball shape and velocity should still be of interest to the Cubs. Scanning his Baseball Savant page, Bigge's fastball velocity sits in the 82 percentile, and his extension sits in the 79 percentile. If nothing else, it's something that the Cubs' pitch lab can work with.

It's also worth pointing out that Bigge does have two minor-league options remaining. Even if he doesn't help the bullpen this season, which seems likely, there could be value in the Cubs having him under control beyond this season. Bigge very much is a work in progress, but this feels like a flier that Jed Hoyer and Co. should be itching to take.

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