Chicago Cubs DFA Brett Anderson after failing rehab assignment

The Chicago Cubs signed the oft-injured lefty to a one-year deal to help bolster the rotation. Now, after another injury, they put an end that experiment.

The Chicago Cubs knew what they were getting when they signed Brett Anderson to a one-year deal in January.

Anderson, 29, has pitched only two full seasons in his nine-year career. However, he was actually pretty decent when healthy. The problem is he is almost never healthy and it was much the same in his short time with the Cubs.

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Making the rotation (over Mike Montgomery) out of the spring, Anderson made just six starts for the Cubs before hitting the DL with back issues.

The same back problems that have plagued his whole career. In those six starts, Anderson was awful, going 2-2 with a unsightly 8.18 ERA. He pitched 22 innings, averaging just three innings per start, and allowed 20 earned runs.

Then, he hit the DL, which is probably a good thing for the Cubs. It was an easy way for the team to get him out of the rotation. At that point, most fans believed he would never through a pitch again for the Cubs -and they were right.

Wednesday, the Cubs activated Anderson from the 60-day DL and immediately designated him for assignment. His numbers at Double-A Tennessee were not good either. In six games (five starts), he was 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA in 27 1/3 innings. Even though his numbers were slightly better, they still weren’t good.

What’s Next?

With the acquisition of Jose Quintana and Kyle Hendricks returning to the rotation, there really was no room for Anderson in the rotation. Anderson is not an upgrade over John Lackey so that wasn’t an option, either. The Cubs now have 10 days to waive, trade or release Anderson.

At this point, the most likely route is a release. The left-hander is not owed much so it’s possible that someone could claim him off waivers. He has virtually no trade value though so if a trade was made, it would likely be for cash.

Next: Cubs focusing Trade Deadline on relievers and backup catchers

The Cubs now put an end to that experiment. Anderson is just 29 so he can still salvage his career if he proves he can stay healthy. However, he has made just 10 starts in the last two years. He’s got a long road back if someone takes a flyer on him.

Anderson tweeted the following regarding his departure: