Former Cubs Reliever Signs with Yankees

Former Chicago Cubs reliever Duane Underwood Jr. has agreed to a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees, per the New York Post.

The contract comes with an invitation to the Yankees’ Major League Spring Training in Tampa.

Underwood spent the first three seasons of his career with the Cubs, where he broke in during the 2018 season. Through the 2020 season, he went 1-1 in 30 appearances (one start) with a 5.20 ERA and one save. He struck out 10.7 hitters per nine innings.

The Cubs drafted Underwood in the second round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Pope High School in Marietta, Ga. Along with his time in the minors, he played in the 2016 Arizona Fall League and was moved to the Cubs’ 40-man roster.

After Chicago, Underwood moved on to Pittsburgh, where he spent three seasons with the Pirates. He went 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA in 114 games (one start) with three saves and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Underwood started 2023 with the Puerto Rican national team in the World Baseball Classic. But he was on a yo-yo with the Pirates, who designated him for assignment in late May and then assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis in early June after he went unclaimed.

He spent most of his time in the minors either on Indianapolis’ injured list or developmental list. He became a free agent at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old was with Pittsburgh last season, where he made 20 appearances, went 1-0 with two saves, a 5.18 ERA and struck out a career-low 5.8 hitters per nine innings.