Former Cubs All-Star outfielder Dexter Fowler, one of the mainstays of the 2016 World Series championship team, announced his retirement Tuesday on social media.
“It’s here. I’m hanging up my cleats,” Fowler said on Twitter. “I’m mostly proud to look back on my career knowing that I played the game the right way and did my best to make a positive impact beyond the win.”
Thank you to the fans.
— dexfowler.eth (@DexterFowler) January 31, 2023
Stay tuned for what’s next. pic.twitter.com/qZd84zge6Z
Fowler spent only two of his 14 major-league seasons with the Cubs, but created one of the North Side’s most memorable moments by becoming the first, and so far only, player to hit a lead-off homer in a World Series Game 7 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. He slashed .233/.258/.467 in the 2016 Series. He also appeared in that season’s All-Star Game.
The Cubs acquired Fowler from the Astros in 2015 in exchange for Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily. After the 2016 season, Fowler declined a mutual option, becoming a free agent. He eventually signed with the Cardinals.
Fowler last played in the majors in 2021 with Anaheim.
Cubs add to pitching staff
The Cubs announced on Tuesday that they had signed right-handed pitcher Tyler Duffey and Jordan Holloway to minor-league contracts with invitations to major-league spring training.
Duffey, 27, adds a veteran arm to the Cubs’ bullpen depth. Over the course of eight seasons with the Twins, Duffey has posted a 4.57 ERA. He’s a couple years removed from putting up standout strikeout numbers in 2019 (34.5% strikeout rate) and 2020 (33.7%), but the Cubs have had success taking chances with several bounce-back candidates in the bullpen each year.
Holloway, 26, is coming off of an August arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. He missed much of last season due to injury. Holloway, a 6-foot-6 presence on the mound, has made 15 major-league appearances over the course of three seasons with the Marlins, including four starts.
