The Chicago Cubs made a minor move on Monday, acquring 24-year old lefty Joe Ortiz off of waivers from the Texas Rangers. The addition of Ortiz fills the Cubs' 40-man roster.
Ortiz appeared in 32 games for the Rangers in 2013 posting a 4.23 ERA in 44.2 innings pitched while posting an ERA+ of 98 and a FIP of 3.97. He spent most of 2014 rehabbing from a broken foot suffered in Spring Training, but managed to appear in 13 games for the Rangers AA affiliate in Frisco throwing 16 innings and striking out 8 while walking 2.
The Cubs traded lefty James Russell before the trade deadline in July, and young LHP Zac Rosscup has struggled with control, leaving an obvious need for a second left-handed reliever in the bullpen after Wesley Wright. Unless the team makes any major additions to the bullpen, Ortiz will likely enter Spring Training as favorite to be that second lefty out of the pen. Regardless, given that Ortiz is only 24-years-old and has options remaining, the Cubs have the flexibility to send him to Triple-A Iowa if necessary.