Chris Flexen brought up to majors by Chicago Cubs after spending last season with White Sox
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Chris Flexen was brought up to the major leagues by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday after signing a minor league contract in February and making five minor league starts.
Chicago selected the contract of the 30-year-old right-hander from Iowa, optioned left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove to the Triple-A farm team and transferred right-hander Javier Assad, who has a strained left oblique, to the 60-day injured list.
Flexen joined the NL Central leader after spending last season with the crosstown White Sox, who set a post-1900 record with 121 losses. He has a $1.5 million salary in the major leagues with the Cubs and can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for innings: $250,000 each for 50, 75, 100 and 125.
“I looked at it as an opportunity to pitch,” Flexen said. “We had our struggles. It was a tough season, but I made a lot of great relationships there. Now I´m looking forward to being in Chicago again.”
Flexen likely be used in middle and long relief after going 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in five starts with Iowa. He was 3-15 with a 4.95 ERA in 30 starts and three relief appearances last year for the White Sox, leading the team with 160 innings.
“I´m really excited to be here,” Flexen said. “Chicago fans are great and I´m looking forward to seeing what it´s like on the other side.”
