The Chicago Cubs have struggled with poor bullpen play throughout the season, ranking 19th in the MLB with a 4.25 ERA. They have suffered the second-most losses in the league and blown 17 save opportunities. If they had managed to win even half of those games, their standings would be very different as they currently have the third-worst record in the National League and are being considered as a selling team.
Despite their bullpen troubles, the Cubs made an unexpected decision to release Carl Edwards Jr. on June 16. Edwards had performed well with their Triple-A affiliate, posting a 1.85 ERA in 20 outings. The fact that Edwards had been part of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series-winning team made it even more surprising that he wasn’t given a chance by the struggling team.
Now, Edwards has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres, marking his second stint with the team. His first time with the Padres in 2019 did not go well, as he allowed six earned runs in just 1.2 innings across two games. Edwards will be looking to make a stronger impression this time around and earn a promotion to the big leagues.
In 2016, Edwards played a key role in the Cubs’ championship run, posting a 3.75 ERA across 36 outings with 52 strikeouts in