The Cubs announced a move today, trading right-handed pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. to the Pirates for minor league first baseman Shendrick Apostel.
Underwood was a second-round pick of the Cubs in the 2012 draft, the first one conducted by the Theo Epstein-led team. Underwood made his major league debut in a start against the Dodgers in 2018, but the last two seasons he’s pitched exclusively out of the bullpen. In 30 career appearances with the Cubs, Underwood went 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA. Underwood was 1-0 with a 5.66 ERA last year. He struck out an impressive 27 batters in just 20 2⁄3 innings in 2020 and issued just five unintentional walks.