Cubs Claim Anthony Kay from Blue Jays, DFA Alfonso Rivas

The Chicago Cubs announced Friday that they have claimed left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, first baseman Alfonso Rivas has been designated for assignment.

Selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Kay only spent a year and a half in the Mets’ system. He was part of a trade that sent former Blue Jay and current Cubs starter Marcus Stroman to the Mets. The lefty has spent the majority of his career as a bullpen arm with a few spot starts for the Blue Jays mixed in.

For his career, Kay has made 54 appearances, including seven starts, with a 5.48 ERA, 77 strikeouts, 38 walks, a 9.8 K/9 rate, and a 1.627 WHIP in 70.2 innings pitched. Due to injuries, the 27-year-old only made one appearance in 2022 with just two innings pitched.

The Cubs will more than likely add Anthony Kay to the bullpen in 2023 and hope to unlock some of the potential the Mets saw in him when using a first-round draft pick on him.

Alfonso Rivas DFA’d

There have been a lot of questions surrounding Alfonso Rivas' potential role for the Chicago Cubs in 2023. That situation seems to have some clarity as he was designated for assignment on Friday.

In 119 games for the Cubs, Rivas slashed a .247/.322/.307 with just four home runs and 28 RBIs.

First and third base remain partial question marks for the Cubs entering 2023. The likes of Patrick Wisdom, Zack McKinstry, and minor league slugger Matt Mervis all represent potential options, but Jed Hoyer could consider signing another bat this offseason to fill the void. Trey Mancini has been linked to the Cubs, so it’s not out of the question.