Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Cubs Announce Signing of Right-Handed Pitcher Amid Many Injuries

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 5:24 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have signed RHP Jake Woodford to a minor league contract, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.

The 28-year-old was a first-round selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2015 Draft and pitched there from 2020-23. Over 80 outings and 184 and 2/3 innings, Woodford went 10-7 with a 4.29 ERA, a 4.94 FIP, and 119 strikeouts to 63 walks.

He last spent time in the Majors as a member of the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, but struggled in his brief appearances with a 7.97 ERA and a 4.94 FIP over 35 innings.

Woodford has mostly bounced between the Big Leagues and Triple-A, and that flexibility could provide value for this Cubs squad. The most notable omissions from Chicago’s staff are Shota Imanaga (15-day injured list) and Justin Steele, who is out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery.

Relievers Porter Hodge (15-day) and Eli Morgan (60-day) are also absent.

Fortunately, the Cubs have a terrific back-end of the bullpen, led by new closer Daniel Palencia (1.74 ERA, 2.59 FIP, five saves), Brad Keller (2.22 ERA, 2.16 FIP), Caleb Thielbar (2.05 ERA, 2.62 FIP), and Ryan Pressly, despite a 4.50 ERA and 4.12 FIP, is still a reliable option.

However, this tenuous, 162-game season requires unsung heroes, and Woodford has shown the ability to eat innings at this level.

Woodford recently opted out of his deal with the New York Yankees. He has solely pitched for their Triple-A team in 2025 with a 4.54 ERA, a 1.563 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts to 17 walks over 39 and 2/3 innings.

Do not expect Woodford to catapult this bullpen into previously unknown territory, but Chicago must have seen something in his game to give him a shot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: