Cubs' 3.06 ERA pitcher chooses release rather than stay with Chicago in Triple-A

Talk about an odd run in Chicago.

Chris Flexen was brilliant, until he wasn't, and now he's no longer with the Cubs.

The Cubs released Flexen on Monday after he declined an outright assignment to Triple-A, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Declining that assignment is within Flexen's rights as a player with more than five years of big league service.

The Cubs called the 31-year old righty up at the end of April.

In his first 28 innings with Chicago, Flexen had a 0.65 ERA.

In 15.2 innings in July, though, Flexen allowed 15 runs, including six homers.

He ends his tenure with a 3.09 ERA.

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Flexen will now hope that another team out there believes in his first half rather than his second half with the Cubs.

He's a 4.83 ERA pitcher in his big league career, so that might be more in line with realistic expectations at this point.

Flexen spent his first three MLB seasons with the Mets, struggling in all three, before going to play in Korea during the 2020 season.

In 2021 and 2022, Flexen spent time with the Mariners and had his two best pro seasons, making a combined 53 starts and having a 3.66 ERA.

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He started the 2023 season still in Seattle but struggled, then joined the Rockies and struggled there, too.

Flexen had a 4.95 ERA and a 3-15 record with the White Sox in 2024, then moved to the other side of Chicago for this season but struggled, as well.

Now, Flexen will hope a pitching-needy team will give him a call for the stretch run. Given that he opted for his release, he probably believes there's an opportunity out there for him somewhere.

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