CHICAGO – When the Cubs acquired Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle Mariners Monday night, they became the 11th organization to roster the veteran pitcher in his 15-year MLB career.

A cut-and-dry journeyman, Pomeranz is familiar with bouncing around. However, this chance with the Cubs means a little more to him than his career moves in the past.

[MORE: Jed Hoyer, Craig Counsell explain why Cubs made Drew Pomeranz trade]

“Since I got hurt in 2021, I’ve just been trying to get back,” Pomeranz said after he joined the Cubs’ big-league roster Wednesday. “To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to play anymore. I’m just happy to be here.”

Pomeranz had left forearm surgery after his stint with the San Diego Padres in 2021. Prior to being shut down, Pomeranz was throwing well with a 1.75 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He elected free agency at the end of 2023 and then shuffled through minor league stints along the West Coast with the Angels, Dodgers and Giants before landing with the Mariners.

The Cubs picked up the 36-year-old lefty as part of an effort to mix up the bullpen, both Craig Counsell and Jed Hoyer confirmed Tuesday.

The Cubs liked what they had seen out of Pomeranz in his time with the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate. Pomeranz agreed that he felt like he’s been on an upward trajectory.

“I had a good spring training,” said Pomeranz, who posted a 4.66 ERA in 9 2/3 innings with the Rainiers. “Last week, I pitched three times and had very good results. I feel great, and (the Cubs) must have seen that.”

Counsell and Pomeranz have familiarity, as the southpaw was a part of the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen in 2019.

“It’s always good when (Counsell) calls and the name pops up on your caller ID,” Pomeranz said. “I love playing for Counsell. I was with him for two and a half months and it was probably the best I ever pitched,” he continued. “So I told him, ‘I was pretty good for you last time – hopefully I can give you something like that again.'”

Pomeranz said that he struggled getting back to a good place after surgery – so much so that he thought his baseball career was over.

“I would get so close and then get knocked right back down,” Pomeranz said. “Every time, I was physically able and doing everything I could. I never stopped trying.”

Pomeranz had an upward mobility clause in his contract with the Mariners, meaning they had to call him up or trade him to a team willing to give him a spot on the big-league roster. He said that same clause was in his deals last year, but “there were no bites” from MLB teams. That caused Pomeranz to step away from the game.

“I took four or five months off and didn’t do anything,” he said. “Now, I feel a lot better. Taking that time mentally and physically has allowed myself to heal a little more.”

Pomeranz said he feels like he’s in great shape and is ready to make his long-awaited return to The Show. The Cubs are giving him that opportunity.

“All you need is one team to take a chance,” Pomeranz said. “And I’m here.”