The Chicago Cubs realised they needed assistance on that front as they dealt with injuries to their starting rotation. Although Jameson Taillon might be back this week, the Cubs still need his assistance because Justin Steele is still out.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Chicago has added former New York Mets starting pitcher Julio Teheran to help.
Teheran joined the Atlanta Braves in 2011 and remained a member of the team through the 2019 campaign. The right-hander has been a member of four clubs since 2020; the Cubs are his fifth squad during that time.
The Colombian native had been an inning eater before the 2020 season, tossing in over 174 2/3 innings in seven consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2019.
Since then, he has thrown fewer than 72.0 innings per season from 2020 to 2023, indicating a decrease in workload.
The Mets signed Teheran as a depth player, but after just one game, the team opted to part ways with him. Now, the two-time All-Star will have a chance to prove to Chicago that he is still competitive.
He pitched two and a half innings in his debut start with New York, giving up four earned runs on six hits.
The Cubs’ recent thrilling series victory over the Seattle Mariners is encouraging for the rest of the season. It’s unlikely that Teheran’s signing will help Chicago win the NL Central, but it never hurts to have another experienced arm.
He started 11 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023 and finished with a 4.40 ERA. Although his 4.40 ERA isn’t terrific, it is adequate for a fifth arm or spot starter, which the Cubs may use him for.
