Escobar signed a contract with the Cubs on Sunday, Venezuelan reporter Luis Enrique Morales reports.
The details of Escobar's contract are unclear at the moment, but he will likely have an opportunity to compete for a bullpen spot in the spring after seven seasons in Japan. The 31-year-old southpaw holds a solid 3.17 ERA and 1.19 WHIP throughout his career in the NPB, though he most recently put up a 4.55 ERA through 31.2 innings in 2023.
Cubs' Patrick Wisdom: Avoids arbitration with Cubs
Rotowire
Wisdom avoided arbitration Friday with the Cubs on a one-year, $2.725 million contract, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Wisdom isn't a perfect player, but he hit 23 home runs over 97 games in 2023 and carries a .474 slugging percentage over the last three seasons. He'll again be a dangerous bench bat and corner-infield platoon option for Chicago in 2024.
The Cubs added Arias to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Arias got off to a hot start at Single-A Myrtle Beach, but he struggled heavily with a 6.25 ERA and 1.78 WHIP after moving to High-A South Bend in late June. Despite his recent performance, the Cubs will give Arias a spot on the 40-man roster, preventing him from being plucked by another organization in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Joins 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Cubs selected Hodge to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Hodge struggled in his first year at Double-A, posting a 5.13 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 80.2 frames, but the Cubs will give him a roster spot to prevent other teams from selecting him in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old right-hander will likely return to Double-A Tennessee to begin 2024.
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Cubs' Bailey Horn: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Cubs selected Horn to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Horn spent most of last season with Triple-A Iowa, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 53 innings. The 25-yera-old southpaw is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft next month and could work his way into the major-league bullpen at some point next season.
