The Chicago Cubs have started reshaping their bullpen with an eye toward the 2025 season.
On Monday, the Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Enoli Paredes off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers last week.
Paredes, who turns 29 on September 28, made 17 appearances in relief for Milwaukee this season, with a 1.74 earned run average and 14 strikeouts in 20 ⅔ innings pitched. He spent over two months on the injured list earlier this season with a right forearm issue.
In four seasons, Paredes has a 4-3 record with one save and a 3.06 ERA, striking out 51 batters in 53 innings. He has struggled with his control, allowing 41 hits and 41 walks.
He was originally signed by the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent in 2015 and made his first major league appearance in 2020.
Chicago will have control of him for four more seasons, as Paredes only has two years of accumulated service time. He is also ineligible for arbitration this winter, meaning the Cubs won’t have to pay him much more than the $740 thousand contract he had with the Brewers.
Paredes takes the spot on the Cubs’ 40-man roster that became available after they designated pitcher Shawn Armstrong for assignment last week.
In other moves, the Cubs brought right-handers Gavin Hollowell and Caleb Kilian up from Triple-A Iowa before their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Right-hander Jorge Lopez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right groin, and right-hander Trey Wingenter was optioned to the Arizona Complex League.
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