Overview
- The Cubs signed Ty Blach to a minor-league deal in April and called him up in mid-May, where he threw three scoreless relief innings in his lone big-league appearance.
- Chicago outrighted Blach to Triple-A Iowa and he rejected that assignment to elect free agency on May 25, according to MLB’s transactions tracker.
- Less than 24 hours later, MLB Trade Rumors reported that Blach re-signed with the Cubs on a new minor-league contract and will remain an organizational depth option at Triple-A.
- The roster move was driven by roster limits and availability: Caleb Thielbar’s return from the injured list and Blach’s lack of minor-league options forced the Cubs to remove him from the 40-man roster.
- Blach is a 35-year-old veteran with parts of eight MLB seasons and a 5.39 career ERA, and this quick outright–free agency–re-sign pattern is a common way teams keep low-cost, experienced pitching depth available for future call-ups.