Brach's velocity has topped out in the upper 80s during his two Cactus League appearances heading into Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

For what it's worth, Brach said he isn't dealing with any physical issue and noted that he's noticed his radar readings during spring training have routinely been lower than normal each of the past four seasons. Per Brooks Baseball, Brach's four-seamer averaged no worse than 93.5 miles per hour in any month last season, so the right-hander has a fairly sizable deficit to make up if he's to maintain that level of velocity in 2019.

Brach restructured his contract with the Cubs, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

A viral infection that Brach was dealing with apparently showed up during his physical, prompting the Cubs to drop his base salary from $3 million in 2019 to $1.65 million. The veteran right-hander downplayed the severity of the issue, chalking it up to "bad timing" while adding that he's "on time" for the start of the season. Brach figures to assume a setup role with the Cubs.

Brach signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. The deal also includes a mutual option.

EDGE Analysis

Brach spent time with the Orioles and Braves in 2018, posting a combined 3.59 ERA and 8.6 K/9 across 62.2 innings of relief. The right-hander should slide into a setup role with the Cubs, though he could be used as a righty specialist given Chicago's bullpen depth and Brach's splits last season (.692 OPS against righties, .838 OPS against lefties).

Brach allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth inning Monday to pick up his fourth hold of the season in a win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander worked as a setup man for A.J. Minter in his first appearance since being traded to the Braves from the Orioles, and that will likely be Brach's role moving forward, especially once Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) returns to action. Brach now has a 4.72 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 38:19 K:BB in 40 innings on the year.

The Braves acquired Brach from the Orioles on Sunday in exchange for international slot money, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atlanta was in the market for relief help with closer Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) and another key bullpen arm in Jose Ramirez (shoulder) on the disabled list, and it appears the team identified a target in Brach. The 32-year-old has registered 29 saves between the past two seasons and has a long track record of reliability as a setup man, but he hasn't been quite as sharp in 2018, pitching to a 4.85 ERA and 38:19 K:BB in 39 innings. Even so, Brach's experience at the back of the bullpen could be enough to threaten A.J. Minter's status as the top option for saves.

Brach blew his second save of the year Thursday, recording just one out while allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in a 5-4 extra innings loss to Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Brach hadn't given up a run since May 4, but this is one he'll want to forget immediately. After retiring the first batter he faced, the 32-year-old came undone and gave up Baltimore's three-run lead. His ERA has shot up to 4.24 and he'll have to be sharper with Darren O'Day and Zach Britton both returning from injuries in the near future. The Orioles closer situation could get sticky.

Brach gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

He's now converted five straight save opportunities, and Brach has strung together seven straight scoreless appearances, posting a 9:4 K:BB over 7.2 innings during that stretch. Zach Britton (Achilles) could begin a rehab assignment next week, but until he returns to action, the O's closer job will likely remain in Brach's hands.

Brach gave up a hit and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings Friday to record his fifth save of the season in a 9-4 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

He entered the game to protect a four-run lead with the tying run on deck and got C.J. Cron to ground into a fielder's choice before the O's tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Brach appears to have turned a corner after a rough stretch in late April and early May, posting a 7:1 K:BB over his last 4.2 innings, but with Darren O'Day (elbow) and Zach Britton (Achilles) both potentially returning to action by the end of the month, Brach's window for collecting saves is a small one.

Brach (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing a run, three hits and a walk while failing to record an out against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Called on in the ninth inning of a tie game, Brach allowed the first two batters to single before yielding a walk and then the walkoff hit. He's now allowed a run in three of his last four outings to run his ERA and WHIP up to 6.55 and 2.00, respectively. Despite the struggles, he figures to remain as the top closing option in Baltimore until Zach Britton (Achilles) returns.

Brach worked around a hit in a scoreless ninth for his third save Wednesday against Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Brach hasn't allowed a run since blowing a save in his first appearance back on March 29 against Minnesota. Since then, he has allowed just two hits and two walks against seven strikeouts in six innings with three straight saves.