The Cubs designated Flexen for assignment Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Although he looked like a dominant force out of the bullpen for much of the first half of the season, Flexen has been in a rough patch lately, posting a 7.24 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 13.2 innings since the beginning of July. His sudden decline will now cost him his spot on the Cubs, though another team looking for a multi-inning bullpen option could pick him up and aim to get him back on track. Gavin Hollowell was recalled from Triple-A to fill the opening in Chicago's bullpen.

Flexen allowed two runs on three hits across two innings of relief in Monday's 8-4 loss to the Brewers. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Flexen has now allowed at least one run in five straight appearances, and he has a 7.98 ERA during the rough patch. He did make one start in there, allowing three runs over four innings against the Yankees on July 11, but his relief outings haven't been any better. Flexen had established himself as a valuable long reliever earlier in the year, though at this point, it's hard to trust the veteran until he strings together a few good performances and gets back on track.

Flexen allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits across two innings of relief in Friday's 12-5 loss to the White Sox. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Shota Imanaga allowed seven runs in his three innings of work to take the loss, so Flexen was off the hook there, but the latter still continued a disappointing stretch of games. Over his last three appearances, Flexen has allowed 11 earned runs across nine innings. This included his first start of the season, when he allowed three runs over four innings against the Yankees on July 11. The rough patch has raised Flexen's ERA from 0.83 to 3.02. The veteran righty will look to get back on track soon, but his fantasy value is already limited by his long-relief role.

Flexen surrendered five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while failing to record a strikeout over three innings of relief in Monday's 12-4 loss to the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Flexen made a four-inning start against the Yankees in his final appearance before the All-Star break July 11, but the Cubs shifted him back to the bullpen to begin the second half. He ended up being one of two bulk relievers the Cubs deployed behind opening pitcher Ryan Brasier on Monday, with Ben Brown giving up seven runs (six earned) in four innings before Flexen entered the contest in the top of the sixth. The Cubs still have a void in the rotation until Jameson Taillon (calf) returns from the injured list, so Flexen and/or Brown could be called upon to start or work in bulk relief the next time a fifth spot in the rotation comes up Sunday against the White Sox.

Flexen (5-1) took the loss Friday against the Yankees after giving up three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Flexen made his first start of the season Friday after spending most of the season working as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. He kept the Yankees off the scoreboard for two innings, but back-to-back singles to lead off the third followed by an Aaron Judge sacrifice fly and a Cody Bellinger two-run blast gave New York a lead it wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game. Flexen's ERA still sits at 1.47 on the year despite his rough performance Friday, and he'll likely get another opportunity to start after the All-Star break with Jameson Taillon (calf) set to remain out until August.

Flexen is slated to start Friday's game against the Yankees in New York.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander will pick up his first start of the season Friday, filling the rotation spot that had previously been occupied by Jameson Taillon (calf). Flexen tossed 3.2 innings and 64 pitches in bulk relief the last time Taillon's turn came up Saturday, but he should be capable of giving the Cubs more length Friday. Flexen hasn't missed many bats (13.9 percent strikeout rate) while working out of the bullpen this season, but he's limited walks (6.6 percent walk rate) and has netted an 0.83 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 32.2 innings. Regression could set in sooner rather than later however, as those numbers are buoyed by an unsustainable 95.2 percent strand rate and a .189 BABIP, well below his career mark of .302.

Flexen didn't factor in the decision Saturday against the Cardinals after giving up one run on four hits and no walks over 3.2 innings as a bulk reliever. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that the veteran right-hander was a candidate to get stretched out after Jameson Taillon (calf) was placed on the injured list, and Flexen then pitched behind an opener Saturday. The 31-year-old has excelled as a relief option for the Cubs this year with a 0.83 ERA across 32.2 innings, and it appears he'll now get a look as a rotation piece. Flexen threw 64 pitches in Saturday's contest, and it's unclear if Chicago plans to utilize him as a traditional starter or keep him in the bulk role.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Flexen is a candidate to get stretched out following the news that Jameson Taillon (calf) will be sidelined for a month or more, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old righty made 16 or more starts in the big leagues each of the last four seasons but has worked solely in relief so far in 2025. He has a 0.62 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 15:8 K:BB in 29 innings as a reliever. Flexen's 6.5 K-BB% would rank third lowest among qualified starters behind Erick Fedde (4.0 K-BB%) and Jack Kochanowicz (5.6 K-BB%).

Flexen (5-0) tossed a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout to earn the win in Thursday's 1-0, 10-inning victory over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Flexen continued his strong season for the Cubs, as he has a 0.62 ERA and 0.83 WHIP along with a perfect 5-0 record across 29 innings out of the bullpen. It's the most wins for the former starter since he went 8-9 in 33 appearances (22 starts) for Seattle back in 2022. Flexen doesn't provide a ton of strikeouts, as he only has 15 of them this year, but he's otherwise been a valuable long reliever for Chicago.

Flexen tossed four scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Astros. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago starter Cade Horton was hit hard, allowing seven earned runs in his four innings of work, but Flexen kept the Cubs in the game the rest of the way. It was a pretty standard outing for the veteran righty, who's allowed only two earned runs in 28 innings this season but is also sitting with just a 4.5 K/9. Flexen's middle-relief role and lack of strikeouts limit his fantasy appeal, though he's been exceptional in real life for his new team in 2025.