Cubs release Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta
The Chicago Cubs parted ways with struggling righthander Jake Arrieta on Thursday, placing the former Cy Young Award winner on unconditional release waivers.
Arrieta, 35, surrendered seven runs in the first inning of Wednesday’s start against the Milwaukee Brewers and is 5-11 this season with a 6.88 ERA in 20 starts for Chicago.
Also Thursday, catcher Willson Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list and the Cubs replaced Contreras and Arrieta on the roster with catcher Austin Romine — activated from the 60-day IL — and right-hander Ryan Meisinger, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa.
To clear room on the 40man roster, left-hander Kyle Ryan was designated for assignment.
Contreras has a sprained right knee and could miss multiple weeks.
Arrieta returned to the Cubs this season, signing as a free agent on Feb. 17 after three years with the Philadelphia Phillies. But he failed to recapture the magic he enjoyed with Chicago from 2013-17, when he won a World Series and a Cy Young Award and tossed two no-hitters.
Arrieta lost his seventh straight decision Wednesday, allowing eight runs on 11 hits over four innings. He posted a 9.92 ERA over his past 11 starts.
He owns a career record of 115-90 with a 3.93 ERA and 1,424 strikeouts in 281 games (275 starts) with the Baltimore Orioles (2010-13), Cubs and Phillies.
Arrieta led the majors in wins and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2015, finishing 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA and three shutouts. In 2016, he made the All-Star team and helped the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908.