Cubs Sign Left-Hander Génesis Cabrera to Major League Deal

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Cubs announced late Thursday that they have signed left-handed pitcher Génesis Cabrera to a major league contract.

The 28-year-old Cabrera previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2019 to 2023, before a brief stint with the Toronto Blue Jays. Reports of his signing became public earlier in the week on Tuesday.

In order to make space for Cabrera on the team’s 40-man and 26-man rosters, right-hander Brooks Kriske was designated for assignment. Kriske had pitched in one game for the Cubs, recording two scoreless innings, but the team ultimately lost that match.

Cabrera had a solid run with the Cardinals, posting a 3.88 earned run average (ERA) and accumulating 275 strikeouts over 283⅓ innings in 278 major league games. His time with the Blue Jays was short-lived, as they designated him for assignment after predicting an arbitration salary of $2.5 million.

After joining the New York Mets on a minor league deal in November, Cabrera made seven appearances, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters across 7⅔ innings. Notably, he faced two Cubs batters earlier this month and retired both Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker.

Following his recent designation for assignment by the Mets, Cabrera cleared waivers and, upon electing free agency, signed with the Cubs, marking a new chapter in his career.