Cubs trade reliever for Padres pitcher |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Dauris Valdez for right-handed pitcher James Norwood.
Valdez, 25, is 8-9 with a 3.97 ERA (88 ER/199.1 IP) and 14 saves in 122 career minor league appearances (12 starts) in the San Diego organization. The 6-foot-8 righthander was a non-roster invitee to major league Spring Training in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, Valdez reached Double-A Amarillo, going 2-0 with one save and a 4.23 ERA (26 ER/55.1 IP) in 43 games. The right-hander set career highs in appearances (48) and saves (13) for High-A Lake Elsinore in 2018, compiling a 1-4 record with a 4.39 ERA (26 ER/53.1 IP) and 76 strikeouts. Originally signed by the Padres as an international free agent on February 12, 2016, Valdez made his professional debut with the DSL Padres in 2016, going 4-3 with a 3.51 ERA (22 ER/56.1 IP), walking 14 and striking out 56. Norwood, 27, is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA (11 ER/22.0 IP) in 23 career relief appearances spanning the 2018-20 seasons for Chicago. He was selected by the Cubs in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. Norwood gets a chance in a new organization after he was DFA'd to make room for Tony Wolters on the Opening Day roster.
Valdez, 25, has a career 3.97 ERA in the minor leagues and stands 6-foot-8, 254 pounds. https://t.co/jXX6u7F58Z