Cubs sign pitcher Kohl Stewart to one-year contract

Needing help in the starting rotation and bullpen, the Cubs signed a pitcher on Thursday that has experience in both roles.

Kohl Stewart, a 26-year-old righty, agreed to a one-year contract worth a reported $700,000.

After signing a one-year, $800,000 deal with the Orioles in 2020, Stewart opted out of the short season for health reasons.

"My elevated risk of serious complications of COVID-19 due to Type 1 diabetes continues to be of great concern," Stewart said in a statement. "I am grateful to the organization, as well as my coaches and teammates, for their incredible support."

Selected by the Twins with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 draft out of St. Pius X High School in Houston, Stewart debuted with Minnesota in 2018 and went 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 8 games (4 starts).

The following season, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder pitched in 9 games (2 starts) for the Twins and was 2-2 with a 6.39 ERA.

In 63 total innings with Minnesota, Stewart had 34 strikeouts and 26 walks.

Baltimore granted Stewart free agency on Oct. 29.

Whether he winds up in the Cubs' rotation or bullpen remains to be seen, but Stewart has been much more effective in the latter role.

In 11 career relief appearances, he's 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA. Stewart is 1-2 with a 6.35 ERA in 6 games as a starter.

The moves lines up with the Cubs' desire to sign players to lesser contracts this off-season while cutting payroll.

Before adding Stewart, the Cubs signed backup catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year, $1.5 million contract and added relief pitcher Jonathan Holder on a one-year, $750,000 deal.