Joe

Biagini

Biagini signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays back in March and has been cut loose after posting a serviceable 3.46 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30/16 K/BB ratio across 39 innings (30 appearances, five starts) this season for Triple-A Buffalo. The 32-year-old veteran righty has made 222 career appearances in the majors since 2016.

A reunion here between Biagini and the Jays, as the now 31-year-old reliever spent parts of the 2016-2019 seasons in Toronto. But he logged just 7 1/3 total major league innings over the last two years between the Astros and Cubs at a combined 12.27 ERA. It’s mostly a depth addition for 2022.

Biagini tossed three scoreless frames in his lone major-league appearance of the season in the Cubs’ regular-season finale on October 3. The 31-year-old righty posted an inflated 5.50 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 85/43 K/BB ratio across 91 2/3 innings (22 appearances, 19 starts) at Triple-A Iowa this season. He should be able to land a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training this offseason.

The 31-year-old will take the place of Tommy Nance, who was placed on the COVID injured list on Saturday. Biagini has allowed 10 runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings this season at the major league level and is not an option during the final weekend in fantasy.

Ryan and Norwood both figure to ultimately make plenty of appearances in the Cubs’ bullpen this season. Marquez is the team’s top pitching prospect and will be part of Iowa’s rotation.

Biagini surrendered a whopping 10 earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings of work last season with the Astros. He had a strong rookie showing back in 2016 but has posted a 5.59 ERA over his last 161 big league appearances.

Biagini was recently removed from the Astros’ 40-man roster and has decided to look for a job elsewhere rather than accept an outright assignment. The 30-year-old was awful during his time in Houston, but he had some success previously so he’ll surely land on his feet somewhere.

Biagini can either accept the outright assignment to Triple-A or elect to become a free agent. The 30-year-old right-hander got pushed off the Astros’ 40-man roster in late September after surrendering 10 earned runs on 10 hits and four walks over just 4 1/3 innings of work during the 2020 regular season.

The move clears a spot for Chas McCormick on the Wild Card roster. Biagini missed time with a sore shoulder this year and was rocked for 10 runs in 4 1/3 innings of work when healthy.

It’s really been a struggle for Biagini since he joined the Astros at last year’s trade deadline, as he’s posted a 10.42 ERA over 17 relief appearances. Chris Devenski is back from the injured list to take his spot in the bullpen.