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The deal is now official. Webb returns to Chicago’s high-leverage mix after recording a career-high nine saves along with a sparkling 3.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 73/25 K/BB ratio across 67 innings of work. The 33-year-old former journeyman figures to cede the closer role to hard-throwing Daniel Palencia, but he’s proven to be a capable late-inning option, if needed.
The contract includes a $4 million club option for 2028 ($500K buyout). Webb’s last deal had a $2.5 million club option for 2027 with no buyout, so the Cubs get to keep Webb at the same salary but add another year of potential team control. Webb had a 3.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 73/25 K/BB ratio in 67 innings out of the bullpen in 2026.
At least the Cubs are learning now that Webb probably shouldn’t be one of their top couple of relievers in October. He’s taken four blown saves since picking up his last save a month ago. Things are definitely looking up for Daniel Palencia, who retired the only batter he faced tonight, but it might be too late to matter much for fantasy purposes.
Webb was not held back for a potential save situation today after blowing his last three chances as the Cubs’ closer, but he helped his cause today by retiring Oneil Cruz with the bases loaded after replacing Clay Holmes in the sixth and then pitching a scoreless seventh. As it turned out, Ryan Zeferjahn got a one-out save in the ninth. Webb, though, could be a candidate to close next time around.
Jackson Chourio delivered the game-tying homer in the ninth after Christian Yelich singled as a pinch-hitter. It was Webb’s first save chance since he left last Wednesday’s game after getting hit in the forearm by a comebacker. He’s now blown three straight save chances since his last conversion on Aug. 14. The door is wide open for Daniel Palencia to win back the ninth, but since his results have been poor since coming off the IL, the Cubs might choose to mix and match for now. Ryan Zeferjahn would also presumably be in the mix for saves.
Webb was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Brewers after he was struck on the forearm by a line drive off the bat of Christian Yelich. Fortunately, he avoided any structural damage and is only dealing with a contusion and swelling. He’s considered day-to-day.
Webb was struck on the right forearm by a 102.5 mph comebacker from Christian Yelich in the ninth inning. The 33-year-old has been an unexpected revelation this season, emerging as Chicago’s primary closer. He’ll likely head for X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status before Thursday’s series finale. It would most likely be Daniel Palencia taking over if Webb misses any time.
After allows three runs in a blown save against the Mariners on Saturday — his first in over two months — Webb didn’t get the job done again Tuesday. He was able to get the Cubs out of a jam in the eighth, but he allows a walk and a two-run homer to Ryan Waldschmidt to blow the save. Webb likely gets another crack or two, but obviously his job security is waning, and fantasy managers need to be prepared for a switch.
Webb got the call to close out Saturday’s contest against the Mariners with a two-run lead in the ninth. He retired the first two batters, then gave up a run on a double and a single, leaving a runner on for Randy Arozarena, who took Webb deep for a walk-off, two-run homer. It was his fifth charged blown save, but his first since June 20. Webb had been pitching well as the team’s closer and could still get the next opportunity as the Cubs work Daniel Palencia back in his return from the injured list.
Webb walked Munetaka Murakami to start the inning but then struck out three straight batters... or so he thought. Braden Montgomery challenged the pitch that appeared to finish the inning and got it turned into ball four with Webb halfway to the dugout. Webb, though, recovered to induce a groundout from Tristan Peters afterwards. It went as his 22nd straight scoreless appearance.
Webb allowed a leadoff hit to Iván Herrera but settled in to make quick work of the rest of the middle of the order, including a strikeout of Jordan Walker. Webb hasn’t been scored upon in his last 15 outings, where he’s saved five games with a 0.72 WHIP and 14 strikeouts. He’s becoming a bit of a stretch run find for those hungry for saves after surviving the trade deadline with the closer’s role.
Webb wiggled out of a jam in the eighth inning with two outs, and then blanked the Nationals over the ninth to procure his eighth save of the 2026 campaign. The 32-year-old had a total of six saves in his entire career before this, but he’s become an important part of the Chicago bullpen, and it might be hard to remove him from the role even when Daniel Palencia is ready to go.
Webb needed just 13 pitches to get through this one and struck out two of the three batters he faced. The righty continues to be as reliable as they come out of the pen. He hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 20th, and is a perfect five-for-five in save opportunities since July.
Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Zeferjahn combined to give up two homers and five runs in the eighth to turn it into a tight game, but Webb was undeterred. He retired Tommy Edman, Kyle Tucker and Mookie Betts in order to end the contest. It’s his 18th straight scoreless appearance, and barring a letdown, he might just hang on the closer’s role after Daniel Palencia’s return.
This would have been a save chance for Webb, but the Cubs scored twice in the top of the ninth to up their lead from two runs to four. Webb still doesn’t have a save in the second half, but he is the clear favorite to claim them in Chicago right now. That might change if the Cubs can add a veteran reliever or two prior to the deadline.
He got a lot of help. With two on and none out, Brooks Lee drove a ball to right center that Pete Crow-Armstrong came up just shy of making a sliding catch on. The ball then deflected off his glove, bouncing about 15 away from him. In spite of that, Josh Bell was in no position to score from second and wound up getting thrown out heading back to third after a throw home. Lee was trying to go second, but with Victor Caratini correctly reading the situation in front of him and staying put there, Lee gave up on the play entirely for a few seconds and was thrown out returning to first, resulting in a double play. It was all pretty embarrassing for the Twins, but it worked out for Webb, who lowered his ERA to 2.98. He’s the current favorite for saves in Chicago with Daniel Palencia out.
Webb helped set up Trent Thornton last night, but this makes two saves in four days for him. He threw just nine pitches tonight and seven on Tuesday, so maybe the Cubs would risk having him close again on Thursday. It’d also be a third straight day for Thornton if he were to work again.
The Cubs called on Webb for their first save opportunity in more than a month and in the wake of Daniel Palencia’s latest trip to the injured list. Before he came on, Ethan Roberts let this game get off the rails in the eighth inning and trusted lefty Caleb Thielbar had to come in and to settle things down. Then, Webb let up a home run to Kyle Karros before closing it out and it’ll be interesting to see who gets the next save chance between these two.
He walked Ildemaro Vargas at the start of the ninth, but struck out Corbin Carroll and quickly got through Gabriel Moreno and Ketel Marte to lock down the save. It was a bit surprising to not see Phil Maton summoned for the ninth on two days rest, but it’s hard to argue with the result. The Cubs closer situation should be resolved soon when Daniel Palencia returns from the injured list.
The contract has incentives that can push the deal to $2 million and also has a club option for $2.5 million for 2027. Webb pitched well for the Rangers last year, posting a 3.00 ERA and 58/19 K/BB ratio in 55 appearances. He also has a 2.99 ERA over 247 MLB appearances with the Braves, Angels, Orioles and Rangers.
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