Cubs’ Clay Holmes, Hunter Harvey, Colin Rea and Caleb Thielbar become free agents

The Chicago Cubs have declined contract options for right-handers Clay Holmes, Hunter Harvey, and Colin Rea, as well as left-hander Caleb Thielbar, making them free agents. Holmes, 33, was acquired from the Mets in August 2024 and signed a three-year, $38 million deal with New York that included a $12 million player option for 2027.

He struggled with a broken right fibula in May but managed to go 6-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 18 starts for Chicago. Harvey, 31, had a $6 million, one-year contract with a $5 million salary for 2026 and an $8 million mutual option, but only appeared in four innings before being placed on the injured list due to right triceps inflammation.

Rea, 36, had a $6.5 million, one-year contract with a $1 million buyout after going 8-8 with a 4.34 ERA in 34 starts and 15 relief appearances. Thielbar, 39, signed a $4.5 million, one-year deal with a $4 million salary for 2026 and a $6 million mutual option. He went 3-4 with a 4.86 ERA in 58 relief appearances and missed time due to a strained left hamstring.

The Cubs have yet to announce whether they will exercise the $2.5 million club option on right-hander Jacob Webb.

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