HEADLINE

Cubs acquire RHP Phelps from Blue Jays

Field Level Media

July 30, 2019 at 7:35 pm.

The Chicago Cubs boosted their bullpen Tuesday by acquiring right-hander David Phelps and cash consideration from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Cubs will send minor league right-hander Tom Hatch to the Blue Jays.

Phelps could arrive in time to replace right-handed reliever Pedro Strop for the Cubs’ important three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals starting Tuesday night.

St. Louis and Chicago were tied for first place in the tight National League Central entering Tuesday, one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Phelps, 32, posted a 3.63 ERA in 17 appearances with Toronto this season, striking out 18 batters in 17 1/3 innings.

Phelps, who missed the 2018 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, is 30-33 with five saves and a 3.88 ERA in 245 games with the New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami Marlins (2015-17), Seattle Mariners (2017) and Blue Jays.

Strop, 34, was placed on the injured list earlier Tuesday. He is 2-4 with a 5.20 ERA, nine saves and six blown saves in 32 games this season. He has a 9.00 ERA over his last eight outings.

Hatch, 24, was Chicago’s third-round pick in 2016. He is 4-10 with a 4.59 ERA in 21 starts this season at Double-A Tennessee.

The Cubs transferred left-hander Xavier Cedeno to the 60-day injured list to make room for Phelps on the 40-man roster.