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  "path": "/cubs/2026/03/31/how-the-cubs-lured-right-hander-hunter-harvey-to-chicago",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-31T23:27:30.719Z",
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  "textContent": "<p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"_blank\" >Cubs</a> reliever <b>Hunter Harvey</b> didn’t have Chicago on his radar as a free agent during the offseason.</p><p>‘‘I’ve never been a big-city person, so I’ve always liked being with the teams with cities that are as far as I can get outside of it,’’ he told the Sun-Times.</p><p>But the Cubs worked to change Harvey’s mind.</p><p>Harvey, a first-round draft pick in 2013, has dealt with a litany of injuries. He appeared in only 12 major-league games last season with the Royals because of a strained muscle in his right (pitching) shoulder and a strained adductor. When healthy, however, Harvey has been effective, as his 3.11 career ERA entering this season shows.</p><p>The Cubs have been effective in recent seasons at getting the most out of short-term relievers and setting them up for future paydays (see <b>Brad Keller</b> in 2025). But despite knowing the Cubs’ reputation, Harvey still didn’t have them high on his list.</p><p>‘‘But then I had a phone call with [pitching coach <b>Tommy Hottovy</b>] and [vice president of pitching <b>Tyler Zombro</b>] in December, and after the meeting I talked to my agent and was like, ‘The Cubs just jumped way up on my list,’ ’’ said Havery, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal. ‘‘I was very shocked.’’</p><p>The pairing will benefit both sides. The Cubs’ bullpen needed a reliever such as Harvey, who has a powerful fastball, after they lost Keller to the Phillies.</p><p>Closer <b>Daniel Palencia</b> helps in that department, as does right-hander <b>Ben Brown</b>, but Harvey’s experience and history of success attracted the Cubs, whose bullpen finished 21st in strikeouts per nine innings last season.</p><p>Harvey said that over calls and Zoom meetings, the Cubs showed him how they track players and could keep him healthy.</p><p>‘‘I was mesmerized by it,’’ he said. ‘‘They were able to keep players healthy, and it really grabbed my attention because that’s kind of one thing I’ve been battling.’’</p><p>Harvey also has dealt with a strained elbow, a strained lat and a strained flexor pronator. It would be easy for him to grow bitter about injuries, but he is pleased with the way his journey has turned out.</p><p>‘‘I’ve learned a lot about my body,’’ Harvey said. ‘‘I learned about how to get through injuries. You know, I guess it’s a step, a steppingstone in my career path.’’</p><h3>Happ’s power</h3><p>Left fielder <b>Ian Happ</b> traditionally has been a bit of a slow starter. In March/April in his career, he has had a .725 OPS. That increases in May (.793) and June (.800) and dips in July (.729) before rising again in August (.858) and September (.810).</p><p>That hasn’t been the case so far this season, though. In the Cubs’ first four games, Happ had a 1.080 OPS with three home runs.</p><p>Manager <b>Craig Counsell</b> said it’s important that Happ has gotten off to a good start because the Cubs are lacking a right-handed slugger with right fielder <b>Seiya Suzuki</b> sidelined with a sprained ligament in his right knee.</p><h3>Suzuki update</h3><p>The Cubs said Suzuki will go on a rehab assignment when they begin their six-game road trip Friday. They haven’t decided whether he’ll go to Triple-A Iowa or Double-A Tennessee or how long the assignment will be.</p><p>Before the game Tuesday, the Cubs tested Suzuki’s ability to stop and start. That was one of his final required tests.</p><bsp-listcarousel class=\"PageListE\" data-module data-column-count=3 data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-hide-descriptions=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-c90005\" name=\"list-c90005\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"{borderColor=#dfdfdf, pageNumber=1, titleUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, inverseColors=false, footerBgColor=#000000, title=Latest on the Cubs, bodyFont=font-3, showListNumbers=false, imagePositionHorizontal=null, rteBodyFont=font-3, headerBottomBorderColor=#111010, subTitle=null, stickyHeader=true, listTitleColor=#000000, pageCount=4600, tableCellBorderColor=#ccd1d5, items=[{type=Image, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, category=[{items=[Cubs]}], url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/30/michael-busch-has-grown-into-indispensable-member-of-cubs-lineup, wordCount=545, _styledTemplate=null, authors=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, name=[{items=[Kyle Williams]}], bio=[{items=[Kyle Williams covers sports for the Chicago Sun-Times.]}], jobTitle=[{items=[Sports reporter, Report for America]}], authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/kyle-williams, media=[{narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/29/f8/02a66e2347d6b4cd2b2fa0d55b68/kylewilliams-121124-6.JPG, width=6000, height=4000}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/29/f8/02a66e2347d6b4cd2b2fa0d55b68/kylewilliams-121124-6.JPG, width=6000, height=4000}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=KYLEWILLIAMS-121124-6.JPG}]}], imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, timestamp=1774921152000, title=Michael Busch has grown into indispensable member of Cubs' lineup, publishDate=March 30, 2026 08:39 PM, target=null, primaryMediaType=null, ampLink=null, description=[{items=[Busch isn’t the showman Pete Crow-Armstrong is, nor is he the Cubs’ clubhouse leader like Dansby Swanson or the All-Star like Alex Bregman. 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right-hander Edward Cabrera shines in Wrigley Field debut, audio=[], description=[{items=[In the Cubs’ 7-2 victory over the Angels, he was in the type of groove that the team envisioned when it acquired him from the Marlins for outfield prospect Owen Caissie.]}], audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs, timestamp=1774913365000, anchorId=promo-270001}, {type=Image, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, authors=[{name=[{items=[Gordon Edes]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, media=[{ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/8c/3b/a9e4df4442f181af5f9e4e9e5510/image0.jpeg, width=1001, height=1331}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/8c/3b/a9e4df4442f181af5f9e4e9e5510/image0.jpeg, width=1001, height=1331}, alt=Gordon Edes}], authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/gordon-edes, bio=[{items=[Chicago Sun-Times sports contributor]}], jobTitle=[{items=[Gordon Edes is a sports contributor at the Chicago Sun-Times.]}]}], publishDate=March 29, 2026 10:01 PM, _styledTemplate=null, description=[{items=[The last thing the Cubs or Imanaga wanted to see is what took place in the first inning Sunday, when the Nationals’ Joey Wiemer cranked a three-run home run into the left-field bleachers.]}], imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, timestamp=1774839671000, title=Shota Imanaga bitten by long ball in first start of season, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/29/shota-imanaga-home-runs-chicago-cubs-washington-nationals, target=null, primaryMediaType=null, media=[{alt=Washington Nationals v Chicago Cubs, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/ff/af/8653214d4cc28dd5e47d9379b4d1/2268957058.jpg, width=4891, height=3262}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/ff/af/8653214d4cc28dd5e47d9379b4d1/2268957058.jpg, width=4891, height=3262}}], wordCount=849, ampLink=null, audio=[], audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs, category=[{items=[Cubs]}], anchorId=promo-270002}], relatedListFont=font-1, hideAuthors=true, tertiaryTextColor=#6c6c6c, buttonHoverTextColor=#ffffff, tableFont=font-1, pullQuoteIcon=[{image=null, narrowImage=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=null}], carouselAutoPlay=false, promoTitleFont=font-2, ctaButtonText=[], primaryTextColor=#2a2a2a, buttonTextColor=#ffffff, linkTextColor=#1a1a1a, hideTitles=false, footerLinkColor=#ffffff, carouselSpeed=null, buttonHoverBgColor=#a91d23, rteHeadingFont=font-1, secondaryColor=#656565, hideCategories=true, _template=/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs, font3=Arial, font4=Source-serif-4, ctaUrl=null, hideImage=false, footerLinkHoverColor=#d3242c, _styledTemplate=/page/list/PageListE.hbs, hideAudioPlayback=false, description=[], listColumns234=null, showSecondItemMedia=false, footerTextColor=#ffffff, hideDescriptions=true, count=13799, headerSecondaryBgColor=#000000, primaryTextColorInverse=#ffffff, titleColor=null, ampLink=null, listHeaderPosition=null, showActionBar=true, linkHoverColor=#d3242c, buttonBgColor=#d3242c, ctaTarget=null, suppressPagination=false, promoButtonText=null, backgroundColor=null, headerSecondaryTextColor=#ffffff, anchorId=list-c90005, pagination=[{body=[Next Page], href=?p=2, _template=/link/Link.hbs, contentId=null, pianoSectionSlug=null, target=null}], listTitleFont=font-2, headlineFont=font-1, promoDescriptionFont=font-3, primaryColor=#d3242c, slimFooter=false, hideHeadline=false, hideDates=true, headerBorderColor=#e9e9e9, ratingCardFont=font-1, titleTarget=null, tableCaptionColor=#626262, mobileCarousel=false, tableEvenRowsBgColor=#f9f8f3, containerTitleFont=font-2, listBorderColor=#dfdfdf, defaultArticleLeadStyle=standard, _parentFiles=[/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs]}\">Latest on the Cubs</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items\"> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Michael Busch has grown into indispensable member of Cubs' lineup\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/30/michael-busch-has-grown-into-indispensable-member-of-cubs-lineup\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/55bb66e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4144x2774+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9d%2F9b%2Fd7a9dd5f486e836ff67a0f60f275%2Fnationals-cubs-baseball-3.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dff6d20/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4144x2774+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9d%2F9b%2Fd7a9dd5f486e836ff67a0f60f275%2Fnationals-cubs-baseball-3.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Nationals Cubs Baseball\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dff6d20/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4144x2774+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9d%2F9b%2Fd7a9dd5f486e836ff67a0f60f275%2Fnationals-cubs-baseball-3.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/30/michael-busch-has-grown-into-indispensable-member-of-cubs-lineup\" >Michael Busch has grown into indispensable member of Cubs' lineup</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Busch isn’t the showman Pete Crow-Armstrong is, nor is he the Cubs’ clubhouse leader like Dansby Swanson or the All-Star like Alex Bregman. He’s an unassuming player who lets his game speak for itself — and it’s loud.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1774921152000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/kyle-williams\" >Kyle Williams </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"545\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera shines in Wrigley Field debut\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/30/cubs-right-fielder-seiya-suzuki-at-the-last-steps-of-recovery-from-pcl-sprain\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5030b93/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3361x2250+7+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fed%2F56f1f356407f84f8a97743616e41%2F2269158075.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1295c55/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3361x2250+7+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fed%2F56f1f356407f84f8a97743616e41%2F2269158075.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Los Angeles Angels v Chicago Cubs\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1295c55/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3361x2250+7+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fed%2F56f1f356407f84f8a97743616e41%2F2269158075.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/30/cubs-right-fielder-seiya-suzuki-at-the-last-steps-of-recovery-from-pcl-sprain\" >Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera shines in Wrigley Field debut</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">In the Cubs’ 7-2 victory over the Angels, he was in the type of groove that the team envisioned when it acquired him from the Marlins for outfield prospect Owen Caissie.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1774913365000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/kyle-williams\" >Kyle Williams </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"516\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Shota Imanaga bitten by long ball in first start of season\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/29/shota-imanaga-home-runs-chicago-cubs-washington-nationals\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f1924a4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4873x3262+18+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fff%2Faf%2F8653214d4cc28dd5e47d9379b4d1%2F2268957058.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b380bd0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4873x3262+18+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fff%2Faf%2F8653214d4cc28dd5e47d9379b4d1%2F2268957058.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Washington Nationals v Chicago Cubs\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b380bd0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4873x3262+18+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fff%2Faf%2F8653214d4cc28dd5e47d9379b4d1%2F2268957058.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/03/29/shota-imanaga-home-runs-chicago-cubs-washington-nationals\" >Shota Imanaga bitten by long ball in first start of season</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">The last thing the Cubs or Imanaga wanted to see is what took place in the first inning Sunday, when the Nationals’ Joey Wiemer cranked a three-run home run into the left-field bleachers.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1774839671000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/gordon-edes\" >Gordon Edes </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"849\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </bsp-listcarousel><p></p>",
  "title": "How the Cubs lured right-hander Hunter Harvey to Chicago",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-01T00:05:11.847Z"
}