Cubs Make Shocking Roster Move To Accommodate Hosmer Signing

Eric Hosmer‘s deal with the Chicago Cubs is now official.

The first baseman is now a full-fledged Cubbie on the team’s 40-man roster.

However, the team had to make a move to bring him aboard their main roster.

But the move they made was a complete shocker.

With the Cubs needing bullpen arms, they selected Mark Leiter Jr. to be designated for assignment.

#Cubs have made the Eric Hosmer deal official.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Mark Leiter Jr. has been designated for assignment.

— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) January 13, 2023

Leiter’s numbers in 2022 show a pitcher who is better as a reliever and not a starting pitcher.

His start to 2022 was a disaster in the starting rotation.

However, when he was strictly used as a relief pitcher, his numbers were better.

During 2022 in relief appearances, he had a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 53.1 innings of work.

While the ERA isn’t great, it’s good enough for the Cubs to work with this season.

But it seems they are putting trust in some of their younger relievers over him.

With Michael Rucker and Anthony Kay being younger options, the Cubs felt they were better than Leiter.

However, their numbers from 2022 show they aren’t the better option.

Kay, who the Cubs got off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason, has spent most of his time in the minors.

But with Rucker, he had a full season with the Cubs in 2022 and wasn’t that good.

In 41 relief appearance, Rucker pitched 54.2 innings and had a 3.95 ERA with five holds.

His 1.28 WHIP is worse than Leiter’s 1.03 WHIP in relief appearances.

All these things make the Leiter move an odd one for the Cubs 40-man roster.