Marcos

Mateo

Mateo was immediately taken to Cubs’ spring training complex to be evaluated. The 27-year-old right-hander missed a large chunk of the 2012 season because of a forearm strain, but it’s not known whether this most recent issue is in any way related.

Mateo was removed from Thursday’s Cactus League game after feeling some discomfort in his throwing arm. He missed half of the 2011 season with forearm issues, so there’s obviously considerable concern in Cubs camp.

Mateo was removed from Thursday’s Cactus League game after feeling ''discomfort’’ in his (right) throwing arm. It’s worth noting Mateo missed the majority of last season because of a forearm strain, though it’s not currently known if the two injuries are related.

Mateo came down with a bit of soreness in his forearm near the end of spring training. He missed a majority of 2011 with forearm troubles, so the Cubs are going to play it as safe as possible with the righty reliever.

He’s been on the DL all year with elbow issues, and the Cubs finally decided that he wasn’t going to get better without going under the knife. Mateo will now be sidelined well into the 2013 season.

Mateo didn’t throw a pitch this season and required Tommy John surgery in June. The 28-year-old right-hander will likely be sidelined until around mid-season next year.

Mateo should have no issues sticking in the big leagues next year. He has previous MLB experience -- collecting a 5.04 ERA over 44 2/3 innings between 2010-'11 with the Cubs -- and a big arm. The 29-year-old missed all of 2012 and most of 2013 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Mateo, an import from the Dominican Republic, deals a high-90s fastball and a high-octane slider that sits in the upper-80s.

Mateo owned a 1.86 ERA and 39/10 K/BB ratio over 29 innings with El Paso, and with the Padres needing fresh arms he fit the bill. The veteran right-hander will serve in middle relief for the Friars.

The Diamondbacks selected Mateo in December’s Rule 5 Draft but couldn’t find a use for him this spring in camp. The 29-year-old missed the majority of the 2013 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He owns a 5.04 ERA in 44 2/3 career major league frames.

Garces pitched well for El Paso after getting demoted shortly before the All-Star break, posting a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings. He’ll take the roster spot left by Marcos Mateo (strained neck).