Cubs hoping Workman regains old form out of bullpen

As the Cubs wait on Pedro Strop to pass a physical and participate in training camp, they officially signed another veteran right-handed relief pitcher on Thursday.

Brandon Workman joined the club on a one-year contract, and manager David Ross expects him to be a key contributor out of the bullpen.

"He's a true four-seam ride, breaking ball guy, which is really big in the game right now," Ross told reporters from Mesa, Ariz. "I see him pitching big innings for us. The bullpen's kind of shaping up nicely with a lot of options down there as things are unfolding."

The 32-year-old Workman struggled last season, going a combined 1-4 with a 5.95 ERA and 9 saves in 21 games with the Red Sox and Phillies.

With Boston in 2019, Workman was 10-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 16 saves over 73 games. He held opposing hitters to a .123 average, the lowest single-season mark in baseball since 1900 for pitchers with a minimum of 60 innings.

"The year he had in '19 was really impressive out of the bullpen in Boston," Ross said. "He's been around, he's got a veteran presence. (He was) part of that deal last year going to Philadelphia and then just struggled a little bit there."

Ross and Workman were teammates in 2013-14 with the Red Sox.

He's a guy that is a really good competitor," Ross said. "Great teammate, fun to be around, works his tail off, does anything you ask."