Edgar Olmos Clears Waivers, Gets Spring Training Invite – Ditto Ryan Williams and Matt Murton

Today, the Chicago Cubs announced that lefty Edgar Olmos cleared waivers (not to be confused with “almost cleared waivers,” which is what happened the last time he was DFA’d), which means the Cubs were able to outright him to the minor leagues off of the 40-man roster, and keep him in the organization for the 2016 season. Having quality minor league pitching depth like that is critical over the long haul, so that’s good news.

Olmos, 25, will come to big league Spring Training, too, with the other non-roster invitees.

The Cubs also announced today that recent minor league signee, and former Cubs fan favorite, Matt Murton will be coming to big league Spring Training, too. That was expected, once he officially signed.

Unexpected was a third addition to the non-roster invitee list: Cubs pitching prospect Ryan Williams. Just a year and a half removed from being a 10th round draft pick (senior signing), Williams will come to big league Spring Training after last year winning the organization’s pitcher of the year honors. It’s a tremendous story, and this is a nice plaudit for Williams, who could factor into the Cubs’ rotation down the road. Indeed, he could be quality depth as soon as this season.

About that. I’m not going to speculate, but it’s worth pointing out that Williams, who was already in the organization, could have been made a non-roster invitee when the Cubs made their initial announcement in late January. What happened between then and now to cause the Cubs to bring Williams to big league camp? It’s possible it was just a reconsideration and a subsequent decision, but it’s also possible that the Cubs recently decided they needed more starting pitching depth at Spring Training.

Hopefully everyone else who was due to come to big league camp is currently healthy, and the Cubs simply decided they also wanted to give Williams the exposure.

As an aside: Murton will wear number 21, which was famously worn by another Cubs outfielder for a good many years.