Cubs move on from Carl Edwards Jr., sending reliever to Padres

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Carl Edwards Jr. is getting a change of scenery.

The Cubs dealt the embattled reliever to the San Diego Padres Wednesday afternoon along with international bonus pool money in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brad Wieck.

Edwards — who turns 28 in September — has a 5.87 ERA and 1.11 WHIP this season in 20 appearances with the Cubs. He was sent down during the first week of April after a rough start to the season and then went on the injured list in early June with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. 

When Edwards returned to the big leagues on the Cubs' last homestand, he made just one appearance in which he got only one out while hitting a batter, walking a guy and giving up a single. The organization immediately sent him back down to the minor leagues the next day.

Edwards was a huge part of the Cubs bullpen from 2016-18, posting a 3.03 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP and 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 167 appearances during that span. At various points over the last few years, the Cubs — and especially manager Joe Maddon — tabbed Edwards as a potential closer of the future with his nasty stuff and ability to miss bats and induce weak contact.

But it never materialized for the right-hander with the Cubs, between issues with his mechanics and the mental side of the game. 

In return, the Cubs get a bit of salary relief to help with the Nicholas Castellanos acquisition and also added Wieck to the southpaw mix.

Wieck, 27, has 31 strikeouts in 24.2 innings for the Padres this season, but also sports a 6.57 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. He had a 6.11 ERA in 14 minor-league appearances prior to his stint in San Diego.

Over his minor-league career, Wieck has 12.5 K/9 and a 3.16 ERA while working mostly as a reliever.

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