Pomeranz thrilled to continue comeback with Cubs

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CHICAGO -- Drew Pomeranz was warming up for the Giants at Citi Field last May, preparing to make his long-awaited return to a Major League mound. The veteran lefty was beginning to visualize the moment, which would complete a comeback from multiple arm injuries that cost him two-plus years on the shelf.

“And then Patrick Bailey hit a home run,” Pomeranz said.

Bailey launched a grand slam in the eighth inning of an 8-7 win for the Giants on May 24 against the Mets, swinging the momentum back San Francisco’s way. For Pomeranz, it robbed him of a chance to take the mound in a lower-leverage spot that night, and he was released a few days later without an appearance.

The 36-year-old Pomeranz -- the latest addition to the Cubs’ bullpen -- stood in front of his new Major League locker on Wednesday, feeling like a rookie all over again in some ways. His last outing in the big leagues fell on Aug. 10, 2021, with the Padres before a flexor tendon injury that fall and an elbow issue in ‘23 got in the way.

“I would just get so close and then get knocked right back down,” Pomeranz said.

And after the Giants parted ways with Pomeranz last May, the southpaw went home and considered calling it a career after logging 289 games in parts of 11 seasons with six ballclubs. That moment in New York stayed with him, though, and Pomeranz signed a Minor League deal with the Mariners this season to give it one more shot.

“I’m just happy to be here right now,” Pomeranz said. “I was thinking I was done playing baseball last summer. I had a good Spring Training, and I pitched pretty well so far to this point. Good enough to get me here. Again, I’m just happy to be here. Literally, it feels like the first time all over again.”

Pomeranz’s deal with Seattle included a clause that required the Mariners to either promote him this week or see if there might be a big league opportunity with another team. The Cubs liked what they saw within the reliever’s recent appearances with Triple-A Tacoma and traded for Pomeranz to help the team’s need for left-handed depth.

It also helped that Cubs manager Craig Counsell knew Pomeranz from their time together with the Brewers in 2019. Milwaukee landed the lefty in a Trade Deadline deal, and he spun a 2.39 ERA with 45 strikeouts and eight walks in 26 1/3 innings down the stretch. Counsell has seen Pomeranz at his best and the lefty thrived under the manager’s approach.

“It’s always good when he calls and the name pops up on your caller ID,” Pomeranz said with a smile. “I loved playing for Counsell. I was with him for two-and-a-half months, and that’s probably the best two-and-a-half months I’ve ever pitched, to be honest. I told him, ‘I was pretty good for you last time, so hopefully I can give you something like that again.’”