Chicago Cubs reach agreement with former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher
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Victor William
Jan 20, 2026 (8:25)
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays fans just saw Trent Thornton join the Chicago Cubs, with Achilles rehab and bullpen depth in play.
Thornton agreed to a contract with Chicago on Monday. The whole angle is a Pro Day arm getting a real shot.
Thornton threw 42.1 innings in 2025 with a 4.68 ERA across 33 appearances, then his season ended with a torn Achilles.
The injury happened July 31 while covering first base, which is brutal luck for any reliever.
Blue Jays fans remember him from the earlier chapter, because he debuted in 2019 and spent real time in the Toronto pipeline.
He's 32 now, and he was originally a 2015 Astros fifth-round pick out of North Carolina.
For the Cubs, this is classic depth shopping with upside, a veteran who can wear multiple innings when the schedule gets messy. It also fits a front office that keeps looking for arms with something to tweak.
The @Cubs snagged another Pro Day arm!
Congrats to Trent Thornton on signing with Chicago! Thornton threw 42.1 MLB innings in 2025 before tearing his Achilles last July.
The Super Supinator is ahead of schedule with this rehab and ready to contribute.
Coach: @TurnerGivens
#TreadFam
Congrats to Trent Thornton on signing with Chicago! Thornton threw 42.1 MLB innings in 2025 before tearing his Achilles last July.
The Super Supinator is ahead of schedule with this rehab and ready to contribute.
Coach: @TurnerGivens
#TreadFam
Tread also says Thornton is ahead of schedule and ready to contribute, which at least matches how aggressive modern rehab timelines have become.
Chicago doesn't need him to be a savior, they need him to be usable.
Trent Thornton rehab puts Chicago Cubs on notice
As a fan, I always respect the comeback guys, because one wrong step can steal a whole season.
«The Super Supinator» nickname is fun, but the real point is the pitch shape conversation behind it.
If Thornton's stuff plays off a sweeping breaker and a riding fastball, small gains can turn into real outs.
From the Toronto angle, the impact is mostly emotional, but it's also a reminder that bullpen arms rarely travel in straight lines. If he's healthy, he's the type who can quietly win you two random games in May.
The next milestone is simple, Thornton needs to get through a clean spring ramp and prove the Achilles is truly behind him.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20 | 215 ANSWERS Chicago Cubs reach agreement with former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Will Trent Thornton make an impact with the Chicago Cubs in 2026? | ||
| Yes impact | 27 | 12.6 % |
| Depth only | 89 | 41.4 % |
| Not healthy | 22 | 10.2 % |
| No role | 77 | 35.8 % |
| List of polls | ||