The Cubs added another arm to their bullpen mix, claiming reliever Eric Orze off waivers from the Twins. With the move, Chicago’s 40-man roster sits at 35 players.
Orze’s path has moved quickly from one organization to the next. Drafted by the Mets in the fifth round in 2020, he made his major league debut in 2024 with two appearances and 1 2/3 innings before being moved in an offseason trade. Tampa Bay landed him for outfielder Jose Siri, and Orze turned in a solid 2025 season with the Rays, posting a 3.02 ERA over 41 2/3 innings.
That run came with some warning signs, though. His strikeout, walk and ground-ball numbers were ordinary, and he was helped by an 81% strand rate.
The Rays later sent him to Minnesota for pitching prospect Jacob Kisting last November, but the Twins’ return on the deal was short-lived. Orze was placed on waivers a year after arriving, after his ERA climbed to 5.66 in 41 1/3 innings.
A 59.7% strand rate worked against him in Minnesota, even though his underlying metrics painted a more forgiving picture. His FIP was 3.34, with xERA at 4.13, SIERA at 4.50 and xFIP at 4.71.
The 29-year-old splitter specialist now gets another shot, this time with a third team in as many years. He also arrives at a time when the Cubs are still looking to shape their relief corps. Their bullpen finished 13th in the game and 21st in K-BB percentage in 2026, and the group has already lost Trent Thornton, Caleb Thielbar and Hunter Harvey to free agency after both Thielbar and Harvey declined options.
In Other News...
Twins Prospect Is Making One Big Question Harder To Ignore
Kyle DeBarge entered the Twins system with plenty of pedigree after going 33rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the highest selection in Louisiana-Lafayette history, and Minnesota has spent the last couple of seasons learning what kind of player it really has. The infielder reached Double-A Wichita in 2026, where the bat lagged behind the reputation, but his glove kept pushing him forward, enough for him to win the 2025 Minor League Gold Glove Award at second base and continue showing the kind of defensive flexibility clubs value.
The Arizona Fall League assignment was designed to help DeBarge clean up the offensive side while giving the Twins another look at how his game plays at different spots on the diamond. He has responded with noticeable improvement at the plate and has also continued to move around defensively, which only adds to the intrigue around a prospect whose path to Minnesota now seems less about whether he can defend and more about how quickly the bat can catch up. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Just Lost Pitching Depth As Another Roster Move Looms
The Twins pitching depth took another hit when the Mets claimed right-hander Jack Anderson off waivers, removing a name from a bullpen mix that had already been in flux. Anderson had only recently come into Minnesotas orbit after the club picked him up from Boston earlier this season, and while his big league experience is limited, he had drawn interest because of a varied arsenal and a minor league track record that suggested there might still be something to work with.
For Minnesota, the move adds another layer to a roster picture that has been changing quickly. Andersons departure surfaced before the Twins had publicly announced any corresponding roster move, leaving the next step in the shuffle still to be sorted out as the club continues to manage its pitching inventory. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Jeffers Just Put A Big Twins Offseason Decision In Play
The Twins have put Ryan Jeffers squarely in the center of one of their biggest offseason questions by extending him a qualifying offer, a move that keeps the catcher tied to Minnesota for now while also giving the club a fallback if he ultimately leaves. Jeffers has said he is open to returning, but he also plans to test free agency and see where the market takes him, which is exactly the kind of uncertainty teams try to get ahead of at this stage.
For Minnesota, the decision is about more than just whether Jeffers is back behind the plate next season. His choice will shape the Twins catching picture and determine whether the organization simply retains a familiar piece or gains a future draft asset in return. The clock is now ticking on Jeffers next move, and the Twins will be waiting to see whether his offseason begins with a return or a broader search for his value. [Read more 🡒]