When the Cubs released him over the weekend, we wondered if it would be one of those release-and-re-sign situations, and, sure enough, it is.
Confirming report by @JonHeyman that Junichi Tazawa has re-signed with Cubs, this time on minor league deal. will start in extended spring training. $900,000 if makes majors.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 26, 2019
Tazawa, who’s back with the #Cubs, has new out clauses on May 15 and Aug 15 if not on the major-league roster. He’ll make 900k if in big leagues with $1.25 million in performance bonuses
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 26, 2019
Tazawa, 32, has had tremendous results with the Cubs this Spring Training after signing a minor league deal, but he wasn’t going to make the Opening Day roster, and the Cubs released him from his original contract on Saturday. Having re-worked things a little, he now returns on a new minor league deal.
It’s not clear yet if staying back in extended Spring Training is a matter of veteran privilege, or if he has a touch of some kind of injury that he’ll be rehabbing. We’ll keep an eye on that part.
In any case, it’s good to have the veteran depth back in the fold, just in case.
Fastball Velocity and Command Are Crucial for Bullpen Hopeful Junichi Tazawa https://t.co/Xh1C1dXLjn pic.twitter.com/LzkUADo4U7
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 21, 2019