Cubs Bring Back Woodford, Cut Ties With Wantz

The Chicago Cubs made a quick pivot in their pitching mix, selecting the contract of right-hander Jake Woodford while designating Andrew Wantz for assignment. The move came just 48 hours after Wantz had been promoted to the roster, creating an unusually brief stint for the reliever. Wantz did see action in the Cubs' recent game, tossing two scoreless innings during a 10-2 victory over the Cardinals, but apparently that was enough for the organization to decide it wanted to explore other options.

Woodford's selection suggests the Cubs view him as a better fit for their current pitching needs, whether as a relief option or potential starter. The timing underscores how fluid roster decisions can be in baseball, especially for organizations making moves ahead of the trade deadline. Teams often cycle through depth arms to find the right combination that works for their particular circumstances.

For the Cubs' rotation, this move indicates they're willing to continue tinkering with their pitching staff. With the deadline approaching, Chicago may still make additional adjustments to address what they see as gaps in their bullpen or rotation depth. Whether Woodford sticks around or becomes part of a larger trade package remains to be seen.

Source: original report ↗