Sam

McWilliams

McWilliams, 30, did a nice job for the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 42/12 K/BB ratio over 26 2/3 innings. Back in affiliated ball, he’ll try once again to climb the ladder to the big leagues for the first time.

The trio of non-roster invitees will head to the minor league side of camp for the rest of spring. Wieck is the most notable inclusion as he continues his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. He’s not expected to be an option for the Cubs until the second half of the season.

McWilliams hasn’t pitched in an MLB game in over a year and a half and struggled in his last minor league appearances, posting a 8.63 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 56/49 K/BB ratio across 49 innings in Double-A and Triple-A for the Padres and Mets. However, McWilliams impressed this winter with a 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 29/14 K/BB ratio in 25 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in Mexico. He’ll hope to carry that over as he competes for a job as organizational depth for the Cubs.

McWilliams was left in limbo during the nearly 100-day MLB lockout’s transaction freeze, but has finally settled with the Reds. The 26-year-old righty has struggled with control issues and posted an underwhelming 8.63 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 56/49 K/BB ratio across 49 innings (36 appearances, two starts) last year between Double-A and Triple-A in the Padres and Mets systems.

McWilliams battled massive control issues in the minor leagues and wound up not making an appearance for the Padres or Mets at the big-league level this season. The 26-year-old righty will search for a new opportunity this offseason.

It clears room for Daniel Camarena, as Camarena had his contract purchased on Saturday by the Padres. McWilliams will be organizational depth; assuming he accepts the assignment to El Paso.

McWilliams failed to make the Mets’ Opening Day roster, struggled with his control at Triple-A Syracuse, and got caught up in the Mets’ roster crunch earlier this week. The 25-year-old righty will join the Padres’ bullpen and certainly has intriguing stuff. It remains to be seen whether he can correct the control issues that have plagued him so far this season.

The Mets gave McWilliams a big league contract over the winter even though he’s never appeared in the majors. However, he was off to a slow start with Syracuse and the club has decided his spot on the 40-man roster is better used elsewhere. It’s possible McWilliams will draw some interest on waivers.

McWilliams got a one-year, $750,000 major league contract from the Mets this winter but had struggled with his command in Grapefruit League play, issuing four walks over just two innings of work.

It’s a major league deal, so McWilliams will join the team’s 40-man roster. The 6-foot-7 right-hander was in the Rays’ 60-man player pool this past season but remained at their alternate site. McWilliams has mostly been a starter in the minors, but Tim Healey of Newsday hears that the Mets will use him as a reliever.