How coverage for the holiday weekend will operate is as follows: As usual, I’ll still be doing Bullets on Sunday and tomorrow, but beyond that, unless there’s a breaking transaction or rumour, I won’t be covering. Hopefully, yes! Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s choice may have immediate repercussions. But perhaps the approaching holiday simply puts a stop to everything until the following week. Let’s see

Goodbye, Nick Burdi. Burdi was set to receive a genuine chance with the big league squad when the Cubs selected the hard-throwing, frequently injured reliever in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, and his appendix burst. Amazing timing. He never quite managed to return, and upon reaching minor league free agency, he accepted a contract with the Yankees. In my opinion, he made a wise choice because the Yankees have a history of developing pitchers and because they have a large need for pitchers. He will definitely see playing time. Best wishes to him, and perhaps more luck on this occasion. Had thought that he would rejoin the Cubs organisation with his triple-digit fastball.

The two remaining high-upside but injured relievers that the Cubs could try to bring back on minor league deals are, incidentally, Codi Heuer and Brandon Hughes. With Ethan Roberts, they’ve already done that.
In honour of Brad, Luis Vazquez wrecks one while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico (he’s been there for many years, but this appears to be his first opportunity as the regular shortstop).