Cubs Make Minor Roster Moves

The Chicago Cubs made several minor moves on Monday, including moving an infielder to their 40-man roster and trading a pitcher to Toronto for cash.

The trade, reported by Marquee, saw the Cubs send left-handed pitcher Brendon Little to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Little, a first-round pick by the Cubs in 2017, will get a fresh start with the team that he made his only MLB appearance against. Little threw 0.2 innings against the Blue Jays on Aug. 30, 2022.

Last season he spent the entire year with the Iowa Cubs, the team’s Triple-A affiliate, where he had a 4.05 ERA in 73.1 innings. He struck out 73 and walked 38.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the Cubs moved infielder Luis Vázquez to their 40-man roster. Vázquez, a 14th round pick of the Cubs in 2017, batted .271 in 124 minor-league games last season, with 20 home runs and 80 RBI, both career highs professionally.

The move was likely one to protect Vázquez from the Rule 5 Draft later this offseason.

Elsehwere, Cubs pitcher Nick Burdi cleared waivers and was outrighted to Iowa, per the Tribune.

Also, the San Diego Padres claimed Cubs right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Estrada off waivers. He had a 6.75 ERA in 12 appearances with the Cubs last season.

Finally, the St. Louis Cardinals claimed Cubs prospect Jared Young off waivers.

Young was picked by the Cubs in the 2017 MLB Draft and made it to the Cubs briefly during the 2022 season. He made 47 plate appearances with Chicago this year and has a .186 career average in the Majors. He can play infield and outfield.