ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs added bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander David Phelps from the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league righty Thomas Hatch.
As part of the trade announced Tuesday, the Blue Jays agreed to send cash to Chicago to offset some of Phelps’ contract, which includes a $2.5 million base salary for this year, a $1 million club option for 2020 and numerous performance bonuses.
Phelps will cost Chicago a maximum of $1.25 million this year. The Cubs are responsible for the $819,892 remaining of his 2019 salary and the first $430,108 of the performance bonuses Phelps earns.
“Very aggressive sort,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “Very physical, aggressive, let’s-go kind of guy. It’s going to be wonderful to work with him tomorrow.”
The 32-year-old tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow on March 17, 2018, during his final pitch in a spring training outing against the Los Angeles Angels, had surgery March 26, 2018, and did not return to the major leagues until this June 17. He had a 3.63 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the Blue Jays, going 0-for-2 in save chances.
He is 30-33 with a 3.88 ERA over 245 games in seven seasons with the New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami (2015-17), Seattle (2017) and Toronto.
Cubs right-hander Steve Cishek was teammates with Phelps in Miami and Seattle.
“He’s good. He’s done it for a long time,” Cishek said. “Good locker-room guy. He’s been through some fire before.”
To open a 40-man roster spot for Phelps, the Cubs moved left-hander Xavier Cedeno to the 60-day injured list.
The Cubs also placed right-handed reliever Pedro Strop on the 10-day injured list with left neck tightness and called up right-hander Duane Underwood from Triple-A Iowa.
“Sunday, I was playing catch and my neck was feeling weird,” Strop said. “It was really tight. I woke up today, and it wasn’t feeling that good, either.”
Phelps is the third player in three days to be traded by the rebuilding Blue Jays after right-hander Marcus Stroman was sent to the New York Mets and utilityman Eric Sogard to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Phelps could earn $2.5 million in bonuses this year based on games: $250,000 each for 25, 30 and 35 games, and $350,000 apiece for 40, 45, 50, 55 and 70. He also could earn $750,000 this year based on games finished: $125,000 each for 25 and 30, and $250,000 apiece for 35 and 40.
His option price would increase to $3 million if he pitches in 30 to 39 games this year, to $5 million if 40 to 49 games and to $7 million if 50 games. He has differing bonus chances for 2020 depending on his base salary that year.
Hatch, 24, was 4-10 with a 4.59 ERA this season at Double-A Tennessee. Selected by Chicago in the third round of the 2016 amateur draft with the 104th pick, Hatch signed for a $573,900 bonus. He is 17-27 with a 4.10 ERA in 73 starts over three minor league seasons.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.