Cubs Pitcher Roenis Elías Shines for Cuba in World Baseball Classic

Left-hander Roenis Elías was one of many pitchers who signed with the Cubs this offseason who has a shot at winning a bullpen spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. The veteran appeared in a few spring training games and on Thursday Elías was impressive for Cuba, pitching against Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

Elías only needed 67 pitches to complete five scoreless innings against Italy in Cuba’s second game in this year’s World Baseball Classic. The lefty allowed two hits, striking out three batters and walked one. Elías was aggressive in the strike zone, mixing in five pitches, but mainly attacking the Italian lineup with fastballs and change ups.

Elías allowed one batter to reach base in each of his first three innings, a two out walk in the first, a double in the second, but after giving up a leadoff double in the third inning he retired nine hitters in a row to end his start.

Unfortunately for Elías and Cuba, Italy won the game in extra innings 6-3.

Elías, 34, is one of the few lefties in Cubs camp who has a track record of success in MLB. He made his major league debut in 2014 with the Seattle Mariners as a starting pitcher. Since then, he’s also gained experience as a multi-inning reliever and closer during his time in the American League West.

In 2021, Elías underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in spring training, but he was able to come back and pitch in 2022 for Seattle. Overall in parts of seven MLB seasons, Elías has a 3.96 ERA in 395.2 innings. As a reliever, the left-handed pitcher has recorded a 3.38 ERA in 98.2 innings, with 14 saves.

Before he joined Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, Elías pitched twice for the Cubs in spring training. He struck out five, four of which came against the Mariners on March 1. In that game Elías looked great for 2.2 innings before allowing back-to-back home runs with two outs in the fifth.

Entering spring training the Cubs bullpen mix only featured one left-handed guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster in second-year pitcher Brandon Hughes.

Other lefties trying to impress David Ross and the front office this spring include former first-round pick Brendon Little, Bailey Horn, waiver pickup Anthony Kay, and a few minor league signings in Eric Stout, Ryan Borucki, along with Elías.

I do find it interesting that the Cubs had Elías pitch multiple innings in spring training, while the other lefties have been limited to one inning of work. However, that may simply be because Elías was ramping up to start for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic and he already was pitching deep into games playing Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic. There is certainly the chance the Cubs may prefer to keep Elías stretched and continue to have him in the starting rotation when the regular season begins at Triple-A Iowa.

During his time in the Dominican League this past winter, Elías stated seven games and posted a 1.38 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 10 in 39 innings.