A former longtime starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies is attempting to make a comeback after inking a minor league deal with a National League contender. Just days before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Vince Velasquez has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
The right-handed pitcher returns to the United States after a short stint overseas with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.
Velasquez, 33, spent six seasons with the Phillies from 2016 until 2021 after he was acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros. He was a steady presence in the rotation during the team’s rebuilding years, making 116 starts including 30 in 2018.
Vince Velasquez joins Cubs in comeback bid years after helping Phillies rebuild
His Phillies tenure got off to a terrific start as he went 5-2 with a 3.67 ERA in his first 11 outings. This included a dominant 16-strikeout performance against the San Diego Padres in only his second start with the club. Unfortunately, he was unable to sustain this level of play long-term as injuries piled up over the next several years.
Velasquez’s best season with the Phillies came in 2016 when he pitched to a record of 8-6 to go along with an ERA of 4.12 and 152 strikeouts in 131 innings of work. Overall during his time in Philadelphia, Velasquez went 30-40 with a 4.93 ERA and 642 strikeouts across 582 2/3 innings.
Arguably, his most memorable moment with the team came not on the mound but in the outfield as he was called on in extra innings to play left field in a game against the Chicago White Sox in 2019. Velasquez was credited with an outfield assist after throwing out White Sox first baseman José Abreu, becoming the first pitcher to achieve the feat since 1950.
Vince Velasquez is a pitcher.
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2019
He is playing left field.
He just threw a runner out at the plate.
Awesome. pic.twitter.com/bDSsrfVZBq
His tenure with the Phillies officially came to an end in 2021 when he was designated for assignment. Since then, he has pitched in the major leagues for the White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Pittsburgh Pirates and last appeared in the MLB in 2023.
In his 35 innings for the Giants in the KBO last season, Velasquez struggled to an 8.23 ERA. Additionally he spent part of the 2025 season with the Cleveland Guardians in their minor league system, posting a 3.42 ERA in 81 2/3 innings.
Velasquez now heads to Chicago where he will compete for a roster spot with a talented Cubs team that is expected to be among the best in the National League. If he can stay healthy and showcase his high-powered velocity, he has the chance to make an impact in the major leagues once again.