Cubs select contracts of veteran IFs Eric Sogard, Matt Duffy

[March 29, 2021]    Veteran infielders Eric Sogard and Matt Duffy appear to be heading back to the big leagues after the Chicago Cubs selected the contracts of both players Sunday afternoon.

Chicago Cubs infielder Eric Sogard against the Chicago White Sox during a Spring Training game at Camelback Ranch Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs also selected the contract of left-hander Rex Brothers, opening the door for all three players to be with the club for opening day later this week. Sogard, Duffy and Brothers were competing for roster spots after signing minor-league deals with Chicago this spring.

The 34-year-old Sogard is familiar with the National League Central Division after spending three of the past four seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. He is a .246 lifetime hitter with 25 homers, 175 RBIs and 43 stolen bases in 737 career games. He hit .400 this spring (12 for 30) with a home run and four RBIs, along with six walks, giving him a .500 on-base percentage.

Duffy, 30, is set to return to the big leagues for the first time since 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays. He is a .282 career hitter with 22 homers, 169 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 452 games.

Brothers gives the Cubs an additional southpaw in the bullpen. The 33-year-old is 20-14 with a 3.84 ERA in 317 career relief appearances, which included three games with Chicago in 2020. He pitched eight scoreless innings for the Cubs during the spring.

--Field Level Media

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