Cubs designate recent trade acquisition for assignment

The Cubs have designated right-hander Jesus Tinoco for assignment, per a team announcement.  The move opens up a roster spot for Nate Pearson, whose acquisition from the Blue Jays has now been officially announced by both teams.

Tinoco was only acquired in a trade with the Royals on July 16 and then selected to the active roster a few days later.  His Chicago tenure has consisted of four scoreless innings spread over two appearances, which represented a nice bounce-back from his much rougher 2024 work with the Rangers — an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings and nine appearances.  Texas designated Tinoco for assignment last month and, after opting for free agency, signed a minor league contract with the Royals before being flipped to Wrigleyville.

A veteran of parts of five MLB seasons, Tinoco has a 4.35 ERA in 80 2/3 career innings with Chicago, Texas, Miami and Colorado.  He also spent the 2023 season in Japan, posting a 2.83 ERA in 35 innings with the Seibu Lions before turning to North America to sign a minor league deal with the Rangers.  Tinoco is no stranger to the DFA wire, and since he has been outrighted before in his career, he can choose to become a free agent (as he did earlier this season) rather than accept an outright assignment to the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, provided that he clears waivers.