Cubs DFA Eric Hosmer
The Chicago Cubs designated former All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer for assignment, the team announced Friday.
The move headlines a flurry of activity by the Cubs, including placing outfielder Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list with a left knee contusion and reinstating second baseman Nico Hoerner from the IL. The club also brought up infielder Edwin Rios and outfielder Mike Tauchman from the minors while optioning right-handed reliever Keegan Thompson to Triple-A Iowa.
Chicago added Hosmer this past offseason on a one-year deal at the league-minimum $720,000.
Through 31 games with the Cubs, Hosmer hit .234/.280/.330 with two homers. He also posted a .610 OPS (67 OPS+) and lost playing time to rookie slugger Matt Mervis, who Chicago called up in early May. The 25-year-old has one homer and one double through 10 contests.
On decision to DFA Eric Hosmer, Ross said there were a lot of underlying reasons but main one: though Morel can play CF, the Cubs wanted true a CF on roster with Bellinger on IL. That meant 40-man spot for Tauchman.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 19, 2023
Ross: "If Belli doesn't go down Hosmer's probably still here."
The San Diego Padres are still paying Hosmer roughly $13 million per season through the 2025 campaign. The Padres attempted to move the four-time Gold Glove winner to the Washington Nationals prior to last year's trade deadline, but the 33-year-old vetoed the deal as he had no-trade protection for certain teams. Hosmer eventually got traded to the Boston Red Sox, with San Diego retaining all salary beyond 2022.
A veteran of 13 seasons, Hosmer helped lead the Kansas City Royals to a World Series in 2015 and was honored as a Silver Slugger in 2017.