Cubs Activate Their Other Free Agent Reliever From Injured List

The Cubs didn’t make any huge signings in the offseason to fix their bullpen woes, relying on comeback years and giving out short-term deals to a couple righties. One was Brad Brach, who’s been just terrible, and the other was 35-year-old Tony Barnette.

Prior to Sunday’s game against the Mets, the Cubs activated Barnette from the injured list. Last year he had a 2.39 ERA in 26.1 innings pitching for the Rangers. But he missed half the year with a shoulder injury.

Barnette still had a lingering shoulder problem in spring training and didn’t make his 2019 debut until April 21 at Triple-A. But he suffered a setback and after four appearances he was out for a month.

He returned on June 1 and Barnette has been nearly perfect with the Iowa Cubs since, allowing just one hit and a walk in his last nine appearances.

The Cubs optioned righty Rowan Wick to make room for Barnette.

Barnette has had a unique path to the majors. He was drafted by the Diamondbacks back in 2006, and after spending four seasons in the minors he left to pitch in Japan. Barnette was then signed by the Rangers prior to 2016 and in three years with Texas he had a 3.50 ERA in 144 innings. His best season was in 2016, as a 32-year-old MLB rookie, he posted a 2.09 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 60.1 innings.

As for Wick, he’ll be back. He has options and plenty left, so whenever the Cubs need another arm he’ll make the trip back to the majors.