The Chicago Cubs added Hoby Milner to their bullpen Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the left-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move was pending a physical.
Milner matched his career high with 73 appearances for the Texas Rangers last season, finishing with a 3-4 record and a 3.84 ERA. He held lefty hitters to a .208 batting average and a .526 OPS.
The move reunites Milner with Craig Counsell, who managed the Milwaukee Brewers for nine seasons before the Cubs hired him in November 2023. Milner pitched for the Brewers for four years before signing with the Rangers last December.
The Cubs are remaking their bullpen after they made the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar — three key relievers for the Cubs last season — are free agents.
The Cubs finalized a two-year, $14.5 million contract with right-hander Phil Maton last month. Maton played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Rangers last season, going 4-5 with a 2.79 ERA and five saves in 63 games.
Milner, who turns 35 in January, made his major-league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017. He is 13-9 with a 3.82 ERA in 367 career games, also pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels.
He had his best season with the Brewers in 2023, going 2-1 with a career-low 1.82 ERA in 73 appearances.
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