The Chicago Cubs today claimed left-handed pitcher C.J. Riefenhauser off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. To make room for Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Edgar Olmos has been designated for assignment.
Riefenhauser, 26, has spent parts of the last two seasons at the big league level with the Tampa Bay Rays, going 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA (14 ER/20.0 IP) in 24 relief appearances. He was acquired by the Seattle Mariners as part of a six-player trade on November 5, 2015 and acquired by the Orioles as part of a three-player deal on December 2, 2015. He was designated for assignment on February 4.
With Triple-A Durham last season, Riefenhauser went 4-2 with one save and a 2.86 ERA (11 ER/34.2 IP) in 29 relief appearances. He struck out 34 while walking only seven batters in 34.2 innings pitched, turning in a 0.92 WHIP.
The 6-foot, 195-pound southpaw was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the 20th round of the 2010 Draft.