Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge (oblique/hip) completed another bullpen session on Saturday. Hodge threw 30 pitches. Hodge was also able to complete a session earlier this week on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be nearing a rehab assignment, as he has yet to face any setbacks following these bullpen sessions. Before the injury, Hodge was deployed as a high-leverage option in the bullpen. Across 19 1/3 innings of work, Hodge posted a 5.12 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP. During this stretch, he struck out 19 batters but showed weak command of his pitches, posting a 13.1% walk rate. He tallied two saves and six holds. When he returns, fantasy managers should expect Hodge to share the closer role alongside Daniel Palencia.

Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Porter Hodge (hip, oblique) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Maddie Lee. A strained oblique landed Hodge on the 15-day injured list three weeks ago, but the 24-year-old is now trying to overcome a hip impingement. It's good news that he's throwing again, but he's likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment and probably isn't looking at a return from the IL for another couple of weeks, barring a setback. Before his injury, the former 13th-round selection in 2019 went 2-1 with a 5.12 ERA (4.16 FIP), a 1.50 WHIP, two saves, 19 strikeouts and 11 walks in 19 1/3 relief innings. Right-hander Daniel Palencia as taken over closing duties in Chicago of late, but Hodge should factor into a late-inning setup role when he's fully recovered from his hip and oblique injuries.

Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Porter Hodge (oblique) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 20 with a strained left oblique after missing the first game of their series against the Miami Marlins. Manager Craig Counsell said before the series against the Cincinnati Reds that Hodge was "in a good spot." However, Counsell said on Monday that Hodge was "not making progress." Despite recording a 5.12 ERA over 19 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this year, the 24-year-old has been one of Counsell's go-to high-leverage relievers with two saves and 19 strikeouts. It's looking like Hodge won't be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible, but a specific timetable for his return is unknown. Daniel Palencia has recorded the team's last three saves and should continue to function as Chicago's primary closer with Hodge sidelined.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-handed reliever Porter Hodge (oblique) will land on the 15-day injured list with a left-oblique injury. Hodge hasn't appeared out of Chicago's bullpen since throwing a scoreless inning against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, and now he'll miss at least the next two weeks of action. Before his injury, the 24-year-old had settled in as the team's co-closer alongside veteran righty Ryan Pressly. With Hodge now on the shelf, fantasy managers should expect Pressly to see most, if not all, of the save opportunities in the immediate future. In his second MLB season, Hodge has produced a bloated 5.12 ERA (4.17 FIP), a 1.50 WHIP, two saves, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts over 19 1/3 relief innings in 21 appearances.

Chicago Cubs reliever Porter Hodge punched out two batters during his one inning of work in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hodge hadn't been summoned to pitch since last Tuesday, but he was excellent -- firing 11-of-14 pitches for strikes and snagging his fifth hold of 2025. The 24-year-old holds a strong 2.25 ERA with 11 strikeouts and three walks over his first eight innings of work. He was superb for the Cubs in his first big-league action last year and has improved overall in the early going of this season. The righty is fanning 33.3% of the batters he's faced, and his fastball is garnering a whiff 35.5% of the time. He should be a strong source of ERA and WHIP and would project to step into the closer role if teammate Ryan Pressly ever missed time.

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Porter Hodge could still see save opportunities. Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs acquired longtime closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, who is expected to be the team's top closer. However, manager Craig Counsell noted that Hodge and Pressly could form a "dynamic duo" in the late innings. Hodge became Chicago's closer down the stretch last season and was quite effective in this role. Across his final 13 2/3 innings last season, the 23-year-old tallied eight saves and held a strong 1.32 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP. He struck out 18 batters and served up seven free passes. While Pressly should be the option to target for saves in this bullpen, fantasy managers in deeper formats should consider drafting Hodge in the final rounds of their draft, as he could find a path to seeing double-digit save opportunities.

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Chicago Cubs pitcher Porter Hodge will likely move to the setup role due to the Cubs acquiring Ryan Pressly. Bastian noted that acquiring the longtime Houston closer "offers a solution to their Opening Day closing duties." As a result, fantasy managers should expect Hodge to operate primarily in the eighth inning. Last season, Hodge took over closing duties in the back half of the 2024 season. During the final month of the season, Hodge tallied six saves and held a 2.25 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP. Across 43 total innings, the 23-year-old posted a strong 1.88 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. He struck out 52 batters but struggled with his command as he posted a hefty 11.8 percent walk rate. Fantasy managers should only target Hodge in deeper standard formats but should push him up your board in leagues that score holds as he should typically be the top setup man for Pressly.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Porter Hodge was called upon to hold a one-run lead during Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. The right-hander has been outstanding in a high-leverage role for the Cubs this season. He tossed a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday to earn his fourth save of the season. Hodge currently has a 14-inning scoreless streak where he's allowed only four hits and struck out 20 batters during that time. He figures to be the primary closing option for the Cubs down the stretch of the season with Jorge Lopez (groin) on the injured list. Fantasy managers who are seeking saves should check the waiver wire to see if Hodge is available.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Porter Hodge picked up his first MLB save on Thursday, locking down a 5-3 win over the San Francisco Giants. Hodge was tasked with working the 10th inning after the Cubs scored a pair of runs in the top half of the inning. The 23-year-old allowed one hit and struck out one to get the job done. The Cubs closer situation is an absolute mess right now, but it should be noted that Hector Neris pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in this one. It is likely that Neris gets most of the Cubs save opportunities from now on, but if he falters again it could be Hodge who gets the next shot.