Caleb

Thielbar

He’ll get $4 million next season and then the $500,000 if his mutual option isn’t exercised (and it won’t be). Thielbar, who debuted with the Twins in 2013 and went four straight seasons from 2016-19 without making a major league appearance, will be making his highest salary ever at age 39. He had a 2.64 ERA and 25 holds last season in his first year with the Cubs.

Thielbar, who turns 39 in January, had a 2.64 ERA and 25 holds over 67 appearances in his first season with the Cubs. That would seem to set him up for a little raise from the $2.75 million that he signed for last winter.

It was a remarkable bounce-back performance from Boyd, who managed to work into the fifth inning of a do-or-die affair for the Cubs after allowing just two runs in the opening contest of the best-of-five series. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw struck out six and allowed just two hits and three walks in this one as he and four relievers — Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar — combined on a three-hit shutout at Wrigley Field to keep Chicago’s postseason hopes alive.

Thielbar was away from the Cubs for three days. He has a 3.29 ERA in 13 2/3 innings of relief work this season.

The 38-year-old right-hander and his wife welcomed a new addition to their family on Friday, so he’ll be away from the club for at least a couple of days. Tom Cosgrove was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his place in the team’s bullpen.

The Cubs took a one-run lead in the top of the tenth after Ryan Pressly tossed a scoreless ninth inning. Thielbar got the call to close it out in the tenth. He struck out the first batter and intentionally walked Fernando Tatis Jr. before recording the final out on a fly ball and securing the win for Chicago.

No word yet as to the financial terms, but it’s not likely to be a (relatively) significant salary. Thielbar was mostly ineffective in 2024 with a 5.32 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, but he’s had success in the past, and will be a middle-innings option for the Cubs in 2025.

The Twins used Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning — he struck out two in a scoreless inning to keep his ERA at 0.00 — and Thielbar was able to pick up a pair of punchouts himself while procuring the third save of the season. His 6.14 ERA isn’t indicative of how well he’s pitched in 2024.

Thielbar got the call to guard a one-run lead in the final frame once Minnesota took the lead after Brock Stewart and Griffin Jax worked a pair of scoreless frames in a tie ballgame.

Thielbar was tasked with getting the final out after Matt Bowman was unable to get through the inning. Thielbar was able to get that final out, and it gives him a save despite throwing only seven pitches. It seems very unlikely that Thielbar will get many more save chances in the Minnesota bullpen.