Cubs Sign Free Agent All-Star Reliever

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a minor-league deal with former All-Star reliever Shane Greene, another potential arm for the Cubs to eventually use in the Majors.

First, Greene has to get ready, and he will reportedly begin an assignment with the Cubs’ Arizona Complex League team this week.

Greene spent 2022 with two teams — the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees — but he made just two combined appearances and finished with a 1-0 record.

At one time, Greene was a solid and reliable bullpen arm for the Detroit Tigers. From 2015-19 he went 17-23 with a 4.72 ERA and had 65 saves. It culminated with a 2019 in which he made the All-Star Team with the Tigers, where he closed 22 games and had a 1.18 ERA.

The Tigers moved Greene to Atlanta in a deadline deal that season and he quickly lost the closer role with the Braves to Mark Melancon. Greene has struggled to find a foothold as a closer or as a set-up man.

For his career, Greene is 24-29 with a 4.53 ERA with 439 strikeouts, 172 walks and 67 saves.