The Cubs have claimed right-hander Carlos Gutierrez off waivers from the Twins, reports ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla (on Twitter). In a corresponding move, Chicago designated catcher Anthony Recker for assignment to clear 40-man roster space.
Gutierrez, 26, has battled injuries since Minnesota selected him with the 27th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He moved to the bullpen full-time last year and posted a 4.62 ERA in 62 1/3 relief innings for the Twins' Triple-A affiliate. Gutierrez repeated the level this year, but only threw 16 innings (5.06 ERA) due to injury.
Recker, 29, hit .143/.263/.245 in 58 plate appearances for the Athletics and Cubs this season. Chicago originally acquired him from Oakland back in August. Recker is a .277/.359/.474 career hitter in over 1,200 plate appearances at the Triple-A level.
Theo: hmmm, gutierrez on waivers…. may as well, right?
Jed: rock paper scissors you for it?
McLeod: why don’t you two row sham bow over it instead?
Future WS MVP
Low-risk, potential high-reward pitcher. It costs the Cubs nothing to get him…other than a AAA back-up catcher. Good waiver claim, in my opinion.
…and he was never heard from again.