On Thursday, the Chicago Cubs got the day off.
They will now open up a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday (at Wrigley Field).
Earlier this week, the Cubs designated Vince Velasquez for assignment.
6-Year Phillies Player Officially An MLB Free Agent
GettyVince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on July 24, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It’s now been announced that Velasquez is officially a free agent who can sign with any team in the MLB.
MLB Trade Rumors wrote: “Vince Velasquez Elects Free Agency”
Velasquez pitched in just one game for the Cubs.
Before appearing in a game last month, the 33-year-old had been out of the MLB since 2023.
X User @JJCregier wrote: “#Cubs pitcher Vince Velasquez has elected free agency. He was outrighted by the organization Tuesday. Infielder Scott Kingery who was also outrighted. Is in tonight’s lineup for the organizations AAA squad. Velasquez pitched 2.1 scoreless innings for the Cubs.”
Velasquez’s Phillies Stint
GettyVince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Velasquez is most known for his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he spent part of six seasons.
While he never made an All-Star Game, he was a solid starter over 133 games (116 starts).
In 2016, Velasquez went 8-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 24 games.
GettyStarting pitcher Vince Velasquez #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the first inning during a game against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park on August 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Velasquez also had a game with the Phillies where he had 16 strikeouts.
@PhilsTailgate wrote (in 2025): “The most strikeouts in a game for a Phillies Pitcher: 18- Chris Short 10/2/65 17- Art Mahaffey 4/23/61 16- Vince Velasquez 4/14/16 16- Cliff Lee 5/6/11 16- Curt Schilling 9/1/97 16- Steve Carlton 6/9/82”
18- Chris Short 10/2/65 17- Art Mahaffey 4/23/61 16- Vince Velasquez 4/14/16 16- Cliff Lee 5/6/11 16- Curt Schilling 9/1/97 16- Steve Carlton 6/9/82
In addition to the Cubs and Phillies, Velasquez has also pitched for the Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates.
He has gone 38-51 with a 4.86 ERA in 192 games.
His free agency will be worth watching.
Phillies And Cubs Right Now
The Phillies are off to a rough start to the 2026 season.
They are 12-19 in 31 games, which has them as the fourth-place team in the National League East.
On Friday, the Phillies will open up a series with the Miami Marlins in Florida.
GettyManager Craig Counsell #11 of the Chicago Cubs looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
On the other side, the Cubs are 19-12 in 31 games, which has them as the second-place team in the National League Central.
They are coming off a series where they took two out of three from the San Diego Padres.
6-Year Phillies Player Officially A Free Agent After Release From Current MLB Team