Rangers bullpen overhaul continues as workhorse is snatched up by the Chicago Cubs

The retooling of the Rangers' bullpen took another step backward Thursday as Hoby Milner moved on from the organization, agreeing to a deal with the Chicago Cubs.

It was a bit of a mixed bag for the sidewinding southpaw in 2025 but he was one of only two left-handers, along with Robert Garcia, who were key members of the team's relieving corps.

Milner has signed a one-year deal with the Cubs

A staple for the Rangers last season, Milner is taking his unique delivery to the North Side of Chicago and Wrigley Field. The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli reports the deal will be worth $3.75 million, with incentives.

He joins a bullpen that was third in the league in holds with 110 and top 10 in converting save opportunities, having closed out 44 games out of 64 opportunities.

Milner was a workhorse for the Rangers last season

A Dallas native, the 34-year-old Milner led the team by making 73 appearances last season, but he had an up-and-down campaign, finishing with a 3.84 ERA.

The submariner got off to a solid start and quickly became one of Bruce Bochy's go-to lefties in the mid-to-late innings and in specific lefty/lefty situations. Still, as the season wore on, Milner became much more hittable and erratic as the team imploded by season's end.

Milner will likely find himself in a similar role with the Cubbies as a bridge guy in the 6th and 7th inning assigned with getting the game into the hands of the team's late inning specialists.

In 2025, Cubs manager Craig Counsell turned to Caleb Thielbar for hold opportunities and Daniel Palencia to close, notching 22 saves.