Report: Cubs option reliever Ramirez, release Wada

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs optioned right-handed reliever Neil Ramirez to Triple-A Iowa and released left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada on Sunday to cut the roster to 35, according to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat.

"Wada was a non-roster invitee whom the Cubs were considering for the fifth spot in the rotation. The left-hander gave up seven runs on 10 hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings in three games, including one start.The Cubs’ spring camp roster now consists of 16 pitchers, four catchers, eight infielders and seven outfielders."

Wada, 33, signed a minor-league deal in December with the Cubs after a two-year stint in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He never appeared in a major-league for Baltimore as he suffered a partial torn ligament in his left elbow that required Tommy John surgery.

Ramirez, 24, gave up just two hits and three strikeouts with no walks over five innings in five games, including one save. The right-hander went a combined 9-3 with a 3.68 ERA and 11.0 K/9 over 107 2/3 innings in 22 games with Double-A Frisco in the Texas Rangers organization and Double-A Tennessee with the Cubs. Ramirez was acquired by the Cubs in the trade for Matt Garza in July 2013 as the player to be named later.

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