Cubs add Tepera to bullpen mix
The Cubs continue to add potential pieces for their 2020 bullpen.
Right-handed reliever Ryan Tepera agreed to a one-year contract on Friday, reportedly for $900,000 if he sticks on the major-league roster.
Last season, the 32-year-old Tepera pitched in 23 games for the Blue Jays and was 0-2 with a 4.98 ERA. The right-hander was sidelined with an elbow impingement from mid-May through the end of August.
In five seasons with Toronto, Tepera was 12-11 with a 3.64 ERA, 39 holds, 10 saves and 203 strikeouts in 215⅓ innings.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder's best season with the Jays was in 2017, when he was 7-1 with a 3.59 ERA, 18 holds, 2 saves and 81 strikeouts in 77⅔ innings.
Tepera joins a growing list of new faces that will compete for bullpen jobs with the Cubs when spring training opens in February.
Former closer Brandon Morrow rejoined the Cubs on a minor-leagues contract last week, Trevor Megill was acquired from the Padres in the Rule 5 Draft, Jharel Cotton came over in a trade with the A's and Dan Winkler and CD Pelham were waiver claims.
Adding Tepera increases the Cubs' 40-man roster to 39.