Overview

• The Cubs designated veteran right-hander Ryan Pressly for assignment Thursday to clear a 40-man roster spot for Taylor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge
• Pressly’s 11-plus years of service grant him the right to refuse a minor-league assignment and elect free agency
• Chicago remains on the hook for about $4.5 million of Pressly’s $14 million salary while Houston covers $5.5 million
• Pressly posted a 4.35 ERA and a career-low 15.4 percent strikeout rate in 2025, costing him his role as the Cubs’ closer by mid-May
• Acquired from the Astros in January for prospect Juan Bello, Pressly is expected to clear waivers with contenders eyeing a low-cost bullpen option