The Chicago Cubs have signed Jorge Lopez to a minor league contract, giving the veteran reliever another chance after an abrupt conclusion to his time with the New York Mets.
The 31-year-old López threw his glove into the stands after he was ejected in the eighth inning of New York’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 29. López then used a profanity during a bizarre and confusing postgame interview in the Mets’ clubhouse.
López was designated for assignment the following day, and he issued a statement apologizing to teammates, coaches, fans and the front office.
The Cubs, which had dropped 13 of 18 games prior to Wednesday, have a 4.47 bullpen ERA and 14 blown saves this season.
López is 1-2 with a 3.76 ERA and two saves in 28 appearances this season. He has pitched for six teams while compiling a 23-42 record with a 5.42 ERA and 29 saves in nine years in the majors.
López made the AL All-Star team in 2022, when he went 4-7 with 23 saves and a 2.54 ERA in a total of 67 appearances for Baltimore and Minnesota.