9 articles
CHC •
4 months ago
Chicago has decided to move on from Flexen after three consecutive rocky outings coming out of the All-Star break. The well-traveled 31-year-old righty found some initial success when he was promoted to the majors back in late April, but hit a real rough patch the last few weeks.
CHC •
4 months ago
Flexen, who’d given up just three earned runs over 32 2/3 innings this whole season, matched that total in this start. Two of those three runs came via a Cody Bellinger home run and it felt like Flexen was lucky to only let those three runs in with the constant traffic on base against him and the Yankees’ seven hard-hit balls in total. Hopefully no one trusted the 0.83 ERA he entered this game with enough to trust him in Yankee Stadium.
CHC •
5 months ago
Flexen had to enter the game in the first after opener Drew Pomeranz loaded the bases with just one out. He immediately gave up a two-run single, but he finished the frame without further the damage. The lone run charged to Flexen came on Nolan Gorman’s homer in the fourth. The Cubs will need a fifth starter once more before the break, probably Thursday against the Twins or Friday in the Yankees. Flexen could start or again work as a bulk guy, but Jordan Wicks is also a candidate to get the nod.
CHC •
5 months ago
Flexen was given the tough task of coming on with the extra runner on second base to open the 10th inning and he was able to strand him right there, getting Angel Martinez on strikes, Austin Hedges on a foul out to first base and Steven Kwan on a fly ball to left field. He then became the beneficiary when the Cubs walked it off in the home half of the inning. On the season, the 31-year-old hurler sports a minuscule 0.62 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 15/8 K/BB ratio over 29 brilliant innings out of the Cubs’ bullpen.
CHC •
5 months ago
Flexen came on to start the 10th inning and stranded the extra runner at second base, getting Ke’Bryan Hayes on a ground ball to shortstop, Henry Davis on a line drive to right field and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a liner to second. He then became the beneficiary as the Cubs walked it off in the home half of the frame. The 30-year-old right-hander has been a cheat code out of the Cubs’ bullpen this season, hurling 18 1/3 scoreless innings with a 0.82 WHIP and a 10/5 K/BB ratio to go with four wins and a save through his first 11 appearances.
CHC •
6 months ago
The 30-year-old hurler has blossomed into a major weapon out of the Cubs’ bullpen this season. He came on to pitch in the top half of the 10th inning and was able to strand the extra runner by retiring all three hitters that he faced in order. He then returned for the 11th where he allowed an RBI ground out to Brenton Doyle but prevented any further damage and then became the beneficiary as the Cubs walked it off in the home half of the frame. On the season, Flexen has yet to allow an earned run through his first 12 1/3 innings while posting a 0.81 WHIP and a 7/3 K/BB ratio while notching three wins and a save.
CHC •
7 months ago
The move is now official. Flexen has been summoned to join Chicago’s relief mix ahead of Wednesday’s showdown against the division-rival Pirates. The 30-year-old journeyman has an extensive track record of mediocre results at the highest level, but he’s recorded a strong 1.16 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 21/8 K/BB ratio across 23 1/3 innings (five starts) this season in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He’s a name to watch in deeper mixed leagues over the next few weeks.
CHC •
7 months ago
The veteran right-hander has now made three starts for Triple-A Iowa, allowing two runs (one earned) on 15 hits in 16 1/3 innings while striking out 12 and walking six. Flexen has struggled the last two seasons in the big leagues, but with Justin Steele being lost for the season due to injury, Flexen could emerge as an option in the Cubs’ rotation in the near future.