Pressly said at his introductory press conference with the Cubs on Wednesday that he was told by the team he would close some games this season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pressly went on to compliment incumbent closer Porter Hodge and added that he planned to go into spring training competing for the ninth-inning gig. While Hodge fared well as the Cubs' closer down the stretch of the 2024 season, Pressly should enter 2025 as the clear favorite for the role. The 36-year-old has regressed over the last two seasons but still been plenty effective, holding a 3.54 ERA and 132:34 K:BB over 122 regular-season frames.

Pressly will waive his no-trade clause and is set to be traded by the Astros to the Cubs in exchange for Juan Bello, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros will also be sending money to help cover some of Pressly's $14 million salary, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The trade is pending Pressly passing his physical, but the expectation is that the 36-year-old right-hander will be the Cubs' closer for the 2025 campaign. Bob Nightengale of USA Today relays that the move also opens the door for the Astros to bring Alex Bregman back. Pressly appeared in 59 regular-season games for Houston in 2024, registering 25 saves with a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:18 K:BB across 56.2 innings.

Pressly pitched 1.2 scoreless innings while allowing two hits to earn the save Saturday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Pressly entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced but still managed to escape the frame with a one-run lead. The ninth inning was less adventurous for Pressly, and he picked up his fourth save. Josh Hader had pitched three times in the last four games and in back-to-back contests, leaving him unavailable Saturday.

Pressly (2-3) allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two to earn the win Thursday against the A's.

EDGE Analysis

Pressly gave up the game-tying home run in the eighth inning and has now allowed an earned run in five of his last 10 appearances. He was bailed out by an Astros rally in the bottom of the eighth and picked up his second win of the season -- both of which have come in his last five outings.

Pressly earned a save against the Royals on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Primary closer Josh Hader pitched both Thursday and Friday, so he was unavailable for Saturday's contest. As a result, Houston manager Joe Espada turned to Pressly -- who racked up 90 saves as the team's closer from 2021 to 2023 -- to slam the door shut in the ninth inning against Kansas City. The right-hander allowed a two-out single but had little trouble finishing off KC. Pressly may get an occasional save chance when Hader is held out, but his primary role moving forward will likely be to serve as one of the Astros' top setup men.

The Astros activated Pressly (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pressly missed just the minimum 15 days while recovering from a lower-back strain. He did not go out on a rehab assignment, but manager Joe Espada is unlikely to shy away from using Pressly in high-leverage spots right away.

Pressly (back) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Everything seemed to go fine for the veteran reliever. Pressly is not expected to need a rehab assignment and is eligible for activation Thursday, so Monday's live BP session was likely the final hurdle he needed to clear before he's deemed fit to return. He's been out since mid-August with a lower-back strain.

Pressly (back) threw another bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return from the injured list when first eligible, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saturday's activity marked Pressly's second bullpen session since being placed on the injured list. Manager Joe Espada also noted that Pressly won't need a rehab assignment, putting him in line to return Aug. 29.

Pressly (back) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pressly landed on the injured list over the weekend with a lower-back strain but is already moving through a throwing program. Astros manager Joe Espada said that Pressly probably won't require a rehab assignment, so the reliever would seem to have a shot to be ready for activation from the 15-day injured list Aug. 29 when he's first eligible.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Pressly (back) played catch Monday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pressly was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a lower-back strain, but the fact that he resumed throwing two days later bodes well for his chances of rejoining the Astros when first eligible Aug. 29. Espada said that the right-hander had been nursing the back strain for about two weeks before he was deactivated over the weekend.