In the same vein as the Seth McClung signing, today the Chicago Cubs signed pitcher Horacio Ramirez to a minor league deal, and assigned him to AAA Iowa.
The 32-year-old lefty had been pitching well in the independent Atlantic League – 1.96 ERA over 36.2 innings – and the Cubs are need of depth at AAA thanks to a rash of promotions and injuries. Ramirez last pitched in the big leagues in 2011, and last pitched well in the big leagues back in 2008. He’s a strike-thrower type, but not a strike-outer type, walking 3.5 per 9, and striking out just 4.2 per 9, over the course of his career.
Not a lot here, but at least the Cubs will get a close look at him to see if there’s anything in the tank.