The last time Chicago Cubs fans saw Porter Hodge on a Major League mound, it wasn't pretty. Hodge, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury throughout the season, was tagged for 6 runs on 7 hits in less than an inning of work against the Minnesota Twins in July. It was an ugly performance and one that was accentuated by Hodge giving up three home runs.
Hodge entered the 2025 season with many feeling he should have been the team's closer instead of Ryan Pressly, and after Pressly faltered, Hodge appeared to be the answer before injuries derailed his season.