The Cubs sent in relievers Christian Roa again Eduarniel Nuñez on full waivers Wednesday, according to the MLB.com transaction tracker. Both pitchers were selected for assignment last week.
Roa, who has made several appearances in his career, turned down a minor league assignment in favor of freedom. This is the first time Núñez has cleared a waiver, so he doesn’t have that right. He will stay in the organization.
Roa and Núñez were both waiver claims during the season. The former started the year with the hometown Astros and jumped to the Twins and Orioles before landing with Chicago. Roa gave up five runs over 8 2/3 major league innings with Houston, walking seven batters and striking out three others. Otherwise he spent the season in Triple-A.
It hasn’t been a good year in the minors for the 27-year-old righty. Roa gave up 17 runs over 15 1/3 Triple-A frames. He threw 10 more free passes and gave up 21 hits. Roa impressed in Astros camp with an outstanding Spring Training but couldn’t carry that over. The Texas A&M product has an ERA close to 5.00 over 185 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level.
Núñez had a similarly bad year in the minors. He gave up 16 runs over 19 2/3 frames, walking 20 batters between stints in the A’s, Orioles, and Cubs systems. Núñez, the corresponding part of the Mason Miller coming back from the trade, he made MLB shortstop with the A’s last year. He averaged 98 mph with his heater in the big leagues but dropped three hits in Triple-A. Núñez, who began his career as a Cubs signee in 2017, was in their Arizona facility for mechanical work when he was selected for assignment. It is unclear whether the Cubs will keep him there or send him back to Triple-A Iowa.
