The Chicago Cubs brought back pitcher Brad Wieck on Tuesday morning, per FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray. Weick has one hell of a story to tell.
Weick has barely pitched in two seasons, but he still has love for the game. The Chicago Cubs inked Weick to a two-year minor league contract. What that means for a chance in the Windy City remains to be seen, but Weick does have successful major-league experience as recently as 2021.
Just two seasons ago, Weick pitched 15 successful outings without giving up a run. He looked like one of the bright spots in the Chicago bullpen. Then, Tommy John surgery ruined it all.
Weick underwent his surgery in July after suffering an elbow strain. The team will likely take it easy with him in spring training and the beginning of the 2023 season, but at some point, he could serve as a dark horse coming out of the Chicago ‘pen.
Sources: Free-agent reliever Brad Wieck is in agreement on a two-year minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs. Wieck missed all of last season with an elbow strain and underwent Tommy John surgery in July.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 4, 2023
Cubs: Brad Weick’s inspiration doesn’t end with Tommy John surgery
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times prior to Spring Training last season, Weick revealed he’d undergone two heart surgeries in less than two years. Just six months prior to the 2022 season, Weick had heart surgery to fix an atrial fibrillation. Yet, he claimed he was ready to pitch.
“At the same time, I’ve had a couple health scares, and I’ve come back from all of them,” he said “So, I just had that mentality of, it’s not going to stop me.”
His first surgery came in February of 2020, in which he underwent a cardiac ablation procedure to address an atrial flutter.
God is good!! Thank you to everyone for the wishes and prayers over the past month and especially the past couple days. Couldn’t have done it without the Big Man up top, my wife, and everyone else in my corner. Love y’all 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/jlCR5OfzNZ
— Brad Wieck (@WieckBrad) August 31, 2021
His second procedure started with an irregular heartbeat that landed him on the IL.
“This one, they had to poke a hole in my heart and go to the left side of my heart,” Weick explained. “So, they had to put me on three months of blood thinners so I wouldn’t develop a blood clot in my heart.”
At this point, Weick just wants to get back on the diamond. The Cubs are giving him that chance.