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We haven’t had much Cubs player news lately, so here’s some.
Jim Henderson spent three years with the Brewers, one as their closer (2013, with 28 saves and 75 strikeouts in 60 innings), missed much of 2014 and all of 2015 with shoulder trouble, and spent part of 2016 with the Mets.
Now he’ll be a Cub:
Cubs are signing reliever Jim Henderson, source tells SB Nation.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 20, 2017
Henderson gets minor-league deal from Cubs, per source.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 20, 2017
Henderson was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2003 and spent 10 seasons in the minor leagues before his big-league debut in 2012, is 34. Two of those seasons (2007 and 2008) were spent in the Cubs system after he was chosen from the Nationals in the Rule 5 draft after the 2006 season. The Cubs released him in March 2009.
Most likely, this signing is for depth, and if he sticks around, it’ll probably be at Triple-A Iowa in case the Cubs need an injury replacement. I’m assuming this signing comes with a non-roster invitiation to spring training.
Other players who have been signed so far to minor-league deals who’ll likely get NRI’s to camp include Munenori Kawasaki, Carlos Corporan, Maikel Cleto, Gerardo Concepcion, Daniel Moskos, Zac Rosscup and Jemile Weeks. Some of those players have, as you know, played for the Cubs before.
The Cubs should be releasing a full list of non-roster invitees to spring training soon.