Phillies Castoff Cut Again Right After 17-Run Disaster With Cubs
Veteran pitcher Bryse Wilson's brief Chicago Cubs tenure ended abruptly after a disastrous outing. Following a promising scoreless debut, Wilson was hammered for seven earned runs in a 17-run loss to the Cardinals, leading the Cubs to designate him for assignment. This move highlights how quickly opportunities can vanish for mid-season veteran relievers. The Cubs subsequently signed Jake Woodford as his replacement. Despite this setback, Wilson, a former Phillies pitcher, has a history as a reliable innings eater, particularly with the Brewers in 2024. Teams in search of inexpensive pitching depth might still claim him, valuing his ability to provide length out of the bullpen despite his recent struggles. His one scoreless appearance with the Phillies earlier this season also showed potential.
A fresh opportunity can disappear almost as quickly as it arrives for veteran pitchers trying to establish themselves during the middle of the season. One rough appearance is sometimes all that a club can judge relievers on when they are forced to make a roster change, especially when innings are at a premium.
That proved to be the case for former Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Bryse Wilson, whose promising start with the Chicago Cubs ended abruptly after a disastrous outing in one of the team’s ugliest losses of the year.
“Wilson was part of Friday’s 17-run debacle against the Cardinals,” Charlie Wright wrote for MLB Trade Rumors after the pitcher was designated for assignment on Saturday. “He was hammered for seven earned runs in relief of lefty David Peterson. It was a disappointing follow-up to his scoreless outing as a bulk reliever in his first game with the club. Wilson will now head back through the DFA process.”
The move came only days after Wilson appeared to give Chicago exactly what it needed by providing valuable innings in relief. Instead, one difficult outing was enough for the Cubs to push him off the roster as they brought in a new arm.
“The Cubs signed right-hander Jake Woodford to a one-year major league contract before Saturday night's rain-delayed game against the St. Louis Cardinals,” the Associated Press reported. “In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated right-hander Bryse Wilson for assignment. The 29-year-old Woodford, released by Milwaukee on Thursday, is expected to be available to pitch Saturday. He was 1-0 with one save and a 6.94 ERA in 23⅓ innings over 16 relief appearances with the (Milwaukee) Brewers.”
Despite the latest setback, Wilson's recent track record suggests another organization could be willing to take a chance.
“A team in need of innings could step in and grab Wilson, just like the Cubs did,” Wright added. “He was a reliable innings eater as recently as 2024 with the Brewers. The veteran righty struggled mightily with the (Chicago) White Sox last year. Wilson had to settle for a minor league deal with Philadelphia. He was released from the agreement in early June, only to re-up on a new contract. Wilson made just one appearance with the Phillies, tossing two scoreless frames.”
That brief appearance with Philadelphia ultimately helped Wilson earn another shot in the majors after the South Siders designated him for assignments. Although his Cubs tenure ended after only two outings, his ability to provide length out of the bullpen could still attract another club willing to claim him during the DFA process. For teams searching for inexpensive pitching depth, Wilson's history as a reliable innings eater may outweigh his latest disastrous appearance.