Cubs make corresponding roster move for Génesis Cabrera

The worst-kept secret for the Chicago Cubs in recent days was that the team was on the verge of signing left-handed relief pitcher Génesis Cabrera to a Major League deal. After Cabrera was released by the Mets after refusing a minor-league assignment, the Cubs acted quickly in swiping him from the market.

As we wrote when the signing was first reported, the most logical move was for the Cubs to designate Brooks Kriske for assignment. That indeed was the corresponding move as the Cubs officially announced the signing on Thursday.

Brooks Kriske, we hardly knew ye

If you blinked, you likely missed Kriske's only outing with the Cubs at the Major League level. Kriske pitched two scoreless innings of relief work against the Cincinnati Reds last weekend. Assuming he passes through waivers, there is a chance that the Cubs would want him back on a minor-league deal. Kriske posted a 3.38 ERA in 13 appearances with the Iowa Cubs this season.

As for Cabrera, he now becomes the third left-hander in the Cubs' bullpen, joining Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz has yet to allow a run through 14 appearances this season, while Thielbar is sitting with a 2.29 ERA on the season. For a Cubs' bullpen that has been bereft of left-handed relief pitchers in recent seasons, it's an unfamiliar position that the team finds itself in this season.

Cabrera was the victim of a numbers game with the Mets' bullpen, forced to be the odd-man out once their pitching staff got healthy. In six appearances this season, Cabrera has posted a 3.52 ERA while striking out just under 22% of the batters he faced. As the Cubs churn through veteran reclamation projects as they look for stability in their bullpen, Cabrera seems to be their latest attempt at just that. Otherwise, it's a placeholder move until the Cubs fully address their need in the bullpen at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on July 31.