Well-traveled Varvaro ready to help Cubs

ST. LOUIS -- Anthony Varvaro was a little surprised when the Red Sox designated him for assignment.

"They said they needed a long guy," the right-handed pitcher said Tuesday. "There were a couple times they stretched me out a little bit, but that's just not the type of pitcher I have been and that's not the type of pitcher I was when I had success with the Braves."

Varvaro is now with the Cubs. He was selected off waivers on Sunday, and joined the team on Tuesday. He pitched one season with the Mariners in 2010, then was in the Braves' bullpen from 2011-14. He appeared in nine games with the Red Sox this year, giving up five earned runs on 14 hits over 11 innings.

The Cubs do seem to be keen on adding ex-Red Sox players to the roster.

"I played for the Red Sox for a month, so I don't know if I could label myself a Red Sox," he said.

Varvaro said he was thrown into situations that weren't the best while with Boston.

"One day I'd come in in the ninth, and another day I'd come in the third in a blowout," he said. "At one point they said they were calling down just to get the freshest arm."

He has not pitched in a week. Varvaro went home to New York after he was put on waivers.

• Outfielder Chris Denorfia was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, which he suffered on Monday running the bases. Denorfia had opened the season on the DL because of the hamstring and was activated April 17. He aggravated the leg on Monday.

Video: CHC@STL: Denorfia hurt on basepaths, leaves game

• The Cubs did consider promoting outfielder Matt Szczur, who was in St. Louis on Tuesday. Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Szczur was on the "taxi squad" for now. The Cubs decided to carry 13 pitchers rather than an extra position player, although that could change depending on how much the bullpen is needed in the next few games.