Free-agent righty reliever Shae Simmons has agreed to a Major League split contract with the Cubs, the club announced on Friday.
Simmons, 27, has a career 3.50 ERA in 36 innings over three seasons, but has missed significant time due to injuries. He only pitched in nine games in 2017 with the Mariners due to a right elbow strain and missed the '15 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, Major League split contracts work differently than Major League or Minor League deals. Simmons would earn one salary for time spent in the Majors and a lower salary for time spent in Minors. The salary is prorated for each day spent on the Major League roster.
Should he stay healthy, Simmons could be an intriguing bullpen piece. His fastball sits in the upper 90s, and since he has just over three years of service time, the Cubs will have team control of him beyond 2018.
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"We just have to get him out there healthy on a consistent basis," manager Joe Maddon said of Simmons. "He really reads in an interesting way on paper. I think if we get him out there, good things will happen. He's got good stuff."
To make room on their 40-man roster, the Cubs placed left-hander Drew Smyly on the 60-day disabled list.