The Chicago Cubs are scrambling. After starting pitcher Jameson Taillon was pulled from Sunday night’s game after recording just three outs—and is now expected to hit the injured list with a hamstring strain—the front office wasted no time making a move. But according to sources close to the situation, this may be just the beginning of a much larger concern brewing inside the clubhouse.
Who Is Eduarniel Nunez?
The Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Eduarniel Nunez off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, immediately optioning him to the Arizona Complex League. While the move fills a 40-man roster slot—now sitting at 39 players—insiders say it’s hardly a long-term solution. Nunez, 27, is no stranger to Chicago: he originally signed with the Cubs as a minor league free agent back in 2017 and spent eight seasons in their system before bouncing to the Padres, Athletics, and Orioles.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Nunez has appeared in 246 minor league games (24 starts), posting a 27-24 record with a 4.02 ERA and 22 saves. But here’s where it gets dicey: in 17 combined appearances this season across Double-A, Triple-A, and the Orioles’ system, his ERA sits at a bloated 7.13. At the big-league level last year, he went 1-0 with a 7.11 ERA in 12.2 innings across 10 games. One scout we spoke with called his command “alarming,” noting 246 walks in 362.2 minor league innings.
What’s the Plan?
The Cubs reportedly plan to have Nunez work in the Arizona Complex League before potentially moving him up the system for further evaluation. But fans are buzzing about whether this is a stopgap or a sign that Chicago’s pitching depth is thinner than advertised. “They’re hoping he recaptures the form that saw him touch 100 mph with that four-seamer,” one insider told us. “But right now, it’s a project, not a solution.”
The Bigger Picture
With Taillon’s injury—and whispers that the team may be more cautious than they’re letting on—some around the league wonder if the Cubs are one more rotation setback away from a full-blown crisis. For now, Nunez is a low-risk flyer. But in the high-stakes world of a playoff chase, every roster move carries weight. And this one, sources say, has more questions than answers.
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