MESA, Ariz. — Kyle Wright can’t help but feel relieved.
He’s finally healthy after right shoulder surgery in 2023, which cost him the next season, and multiple injuries last year limited him to just eight starts in the minors. Wright’s daily routine is back to normal, and he feels closer to the version that produced a 21-win season in 2022 for the Atlanta Braves.
The 30-year-old right-hander was drawn to sign a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs because of their recent track record with helping pitchers’ development and his history with director of pitching Tyler Zombro. Wright has spent the first three weeks of camp working with the Cubs’ pitching coaches to get back to his old mechanics.
With all the injuries behind him, Wright is excited by how he has felt in bullpens and live batting practice.
“It’s weird because I’m when I’m throwing my lives, I’m getting frustrated with myself for not executing pitches instead of like, ‘man, this doesn’t feel great.’ It’s nice to be frustrated with yourself for not executing as opposed to, like, how’s my shoulder?” Wright told the Tribune. “That little piece of it will kind of always be there because it’s tricky, shoulders have a lot of range of motion so you have to make sure they’re strong in different positions.
“But overall I think I’m starting to trust my shoulder, trust myself and just pitch. It’s been a crazy couple of years.”
Kyle Wright of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning on May 3, 2023, in Miami. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
It’s difficult to point to one specific issue within his delivery, Wright explained, because everything got so out of whack from a combination of factors: injury compensation, bad habits and trying whatever he could to throw the ball hard during his rehab process. A hamstring injury out of camp last year in the Kansas City Royals’ organization delayed him and then he experienced a setback with his surgically repaired shoulder. That resolved, but an oblique strain popped up in June after which his shoulder wasn’t bouncing back after throwing.
“Over time things progressed pretty significantly from what it used to be,” Wright said. “I always associated the way I used to throw is why I got hurt when the more I’ve done, and spun myself in circles, it’s not really true. It’s usually way more factors than just that. It took me a long time to realize that, but I think now I’m at the point where I trust my shoulder again.
“I’m actually able to get back into those positions that can allow me to perform at my best. I’m as close to pre-surgery as I’ve been in a long time.”
Wright’s non-roster status in camp and slower progression don’t change how valuable he could be for the Cubs as part of their starting pitching depth.
Wright has three opt-outs in his minor-league deal, including one at the end of spring training. But barring an opportunity to be added to another team’s big-league opening day roster, the expectation is Wright will begin the season at Triple-A Iowa and prepare to help the Cubs at some point this summer. Former Braves teammate Michael Soroka, who was limited by injury after the Cubs acquired him at the 2025 trade deadline, reached out to Wright in the offseason and strongly recommended the organization.
“I knew there was crazy competition in this locker room and maybe I could have signed somewhere else and had a better opportunity out of the gate, but for me it’s about how do we get back healthy and if I get back healthy then everything’s going to take care of itself,” Wright said. “Because I know that I’m capable, I’ve got to get there first. So I knew they weren’t going to rush me. They were going to put the best plan in place to get me back to my previous self.”
Wright and the Cubs believe that stellar 2022 performance, when he posted a 3.19 ERA in 30 starts for the Braves to finish 10th in National League Cy Young Award voting, wasn’t a one-off season.
“He has a very successful major-league season under his belt and at a young age, so the pitch to Kyle coming here is let’s take the time to get you back to that pitcher because it’s not like it’s something you’ve never done,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s something you’ve already accomplished and that’s what we’re trying to do.
“We are taking this methodically to make sure that he’s in the best position, health-wise, to get back to that level.”
Wright is still relying on the same pitch mix, and he is excited to be able to throw his curveball again. The pitch developed into his most effective weapon and became an indicator that his shoulder was injured. He realized something was wrong during the 2023 season when he couldn’t get his curveball’s pitch shape to move the correct way. That has no longer been an issue with his shoulder healthy, allowing him to get the movements he wants on his curveball and the rest of his repertoire.
“In this game, you realize you can’t take anything for granted,” Wright said. “You can pitch really well and then you can get your butt kicked, get injured. There’s just so many different things that can happen. So definitely getting a lot of perspective on the game and trying to go out there, enjoy doing what I do. Figuring out how to get back to who I was, which I know I definitely can. I know it’s in there. There’s days where I’m like, yep, that’s it, and there’s times where I’m still one or two small little things away from getting back to who I can be.”
The Cubs are being deliberate with Wright’s build-up. He’s thrown three live BPs and pitched in a simulated game on Wednesday. They haven’t determined yet whether Wright will pitch in another sim game or make his first Cactus League appearance. He wants to make sure to get as many game reps as possible before camp breaks to increase intensity and volume.
Wright is willing to fill any role the Cubs need, even as a multi-inning reliever. He expects to build up as a starter and can adjust from there. Wright just wants to get back to the big leagues.
“If there’s an opportunity that arises in one way or another, sign me up,” Wright said. “Whatever’s needed, I’m here.”