A return to his 2024 form would do Porter Hodge - and the Chicago Cubs - a lot of good. With one spot conceivably open in the team's Opening Day bullpen, the hope is a high-upside arm like Hodge could make a strong case for himself this spring.
Unfortunately, at least to this point, that hasn't been the case.
Hodge has struggled badly with his control - which has always been a thorn in the right-hander's side. He averaged 5.0 BB/9 in his minor-league career and a barely improved 4.4 BB/9 mark in the big leagues. After an injury-plagued 2025, the 25-year-old has done himself no favors in a trio of Cactus League appearances, walking seven and allowing seven runs in two innings of work.