One of the Chicago Cubs’ most reliable pitchers is coming back for the 2026 season.

The Cubs signed right-hander Colin Rea on Thursday to a one-year deal with a 2027 club option. The team held a 2026 option on Rea and instead renegotiated terms to add another option on the back end of the contract.

Rea, 35, provided needed reliability to a rotation that dealt with injuries throughout the season. His 159 1/3 innings ranked second on the team, and he posted a 3.95 ERA in 32 games (27 starts).

Rea was valuable down the stretch, allowing three runs or fewer in nine of his final 10 outings and recording a 2.63 ERA in September. In two postseason relief appearances, he surrendered one run in six innings.

Veteran corner infielder Justin Turner, in an expected move, will become a free agent an

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