Cubs acquire Cotton in trade with Athletics

This is the time of the offseason when all 30 major-league teams are looking for bullpen help.

In a low risk move Saturday, the Cubs acquired right-hander Jharel Cotton from the Oakland Athletics in a trade for cash consideration.

After having Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2018 season, Cotton returned to the mound last July and was a combined 1-3 with a 7.16 ERA in 18 games (3 starts) for Class AAA Las Vegas and high A Stockton.

The A's designated Cotton for assignment on Wednesday.

In 29 games with Oakland in 2016-17, all starts, Cotton was 11-10 with a 4.95 ERA and 128 strikeouts over 158.1 innings.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 20th round in 2012.

The Cubs' 40-man roster now stands at 37.