Cubs sign Minor League reliever Acevedo

The Cubs on Thursday struck a one-year deal with free-agent right-handed reliever Andury Acevedo, a former Yankees farmhand.

The Cubs added Acevedo, 25, to their 40-man roster, which now stands at 31, to protect him from next month's Rule 5 Draft. The deadline to protect eligible players is Friday.

Acevedo spent the last four seasons pitching in the Yankees system and enjoyed a breakthrough in 2015, rising from Class A Advanced Tampa, where he was a Florida State League midseason All-Star, all the way to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. He posted a 2.31 ERA and one save in 10 relief outings at New York's top affiliate.

Overall last season, Acevedo was 3-4 with three saves and a 2.59 ERA. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder was originally signed by Pittsburgh as an infielder in 2007 before he converted to a relief pitcher upon signing with the Yankees in 2012.