Chicago Cubs’ early season surge has cooled off, but they remain in the National League playoff mix while dealing with a growing list of pitching injuries.
The latest setback came with veteran starter Jameson Taillon sidelined due to a hamstring issue. As Chicago weighs potential moves ahead of the trade deadline, the club has already added depth by signing a veteran right hander recently let go by the American League leaders.
“(Andrew) Wantz has signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs,” CBS Sports reported this week. “Wantz will report to Triple-A Iowa with his new organization.”
Wantz chose free agency from the American League leading Tampa Bay Rays just days before officially joining the Cubs system.
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Wantz’s path through professional baseball has been anything but smooth.
“The reason Andrew Wantz is available on a minor league deal here in June of 2026 is what happened after 2023,” Brett Taylor wrote for Bleacher Nation. “Wantz struggled out of the gate in 2024, ultimately hurt his elbow and had surgery, and was let go after the season. The Rays scooped him up on a two year minor league deal back in January of 2025 (one of those rehab him and then see what happens deals).”
His exit from the Rays became official only days before Chicago moved in to add him.
“The Rays announced that right hander Andrew Wantz has cleared waivers and elected free agency,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald wrote last week. “Tampa designated him for assignment a few days ago. He has a previous career outright, which gives him the right to reject further outright assignments in favor of the open market.”
That sequence of events opened the door for a fresh opportunity in Chicago, though the Cubs will closely evaluate Wantz as he tries to move past a difficult start to his season in the Rays system.
The veteran posted a tough 7.04 ERA across 23 innings with Tampa Bay’s Triple A affiliate. In his lone appearance for the Rays’ major league club, he allowed five earned runs over just one and two thirds innings.
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Despite those struggles, Wantz brings meaningful major league experience as he tries to reestablish himself with Chicago.
He has appeared in the major leagues across five seasons, including a four year stint with the Los Angeles Angels at the start of his career. Overall, he holds a 4.20 ERA across 120 total innings at the major league level.
While this signing will not draw the attention of a major trade deadline move, it reflects a common approach used by contenders to build pitching depth. If Wantz can rediscover the form he showed before his injury setbacks, the 30 year old could eventually push his way into Chicago’s bullpen plans later in the season.