Cubs part ways with Baker, Wright
Eight other arbitration-eligibles tendered contracts prior to deadline
CHICAGO -- The Cubs non-tendered catcher John Baker and left-handed reliever Wesley Wright on Tuesday, reducing the 40-man roster to 37.
The Cubs did tender contracts to their eight other arbitration-eligible players, right-handed pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop, left-handed pitchers Felix Doubront and Travis Wood, catcher Welington Castillo, infielder Luis Valbuena, and outfielders Chris Coghlan and Justin Ruggiano.
Overall, 30 players from the Cubs' 40-man roster were tendered 2015 contracts. That includes 22 players not yet eligible for arbitration.
Wright and Baker are now free agents.
Video: CHC@WSH: Wright blanks Nats over 1 1/3, fans two Wright, 29, was non-tendered one year ago by the Rays and signed a one-year contract with the Cubs two weeks later. The lefty compiled a 3.17 ERA in 58 games with Chicago, going 0-2 with two blown saves.
With Wright gone, the only left-handed pitchers on the Cubs' 40-man roster are Doubront, Wood, Tsuyoshi Wada, Joseph Ortiz, Eric Jokisch, and Zac Rosscup.
Baker, 33, batted .192 in 68 games as the Cubs' backup catcher last season, and also made a brief pitching appearance on July 29, appearing in relief against the Rockies. He not only got the win in the 16-inning game but scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly.
Video: COL@CHC: Catcher Baker pitches the 16th, earns win
Castillo and Rafael Lopez are now the only catchers on the 40-man roster.