Brad Brach’s brief Cubs tenure has already been marked by a disproportionate amount of concern, even relative to a team that spent the winter in an Instant Pot. Not only was a heavier load of expectation foisted on him as the only significant bullpen signing of the offseason, Brach’s contract was restructured when it was discovered during his physical that he had mono.
Rather than alleviating worries with his first action of the spring, the 32-year-old righty raised even more when he wasn’t touching 90 mph with his fastball. Were lingering effects from his illness sapping his strength or was this a sign of general irreversible decline?