According to a report from Patrick Mooney, the Cubs signed RHP Stephen Fife to a minor league contract. Fife’s deal includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Stephen Fife did not pitch last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Cubs were rumored to have interest in Fife in the talks with the Dodgers for Ryan Dempster back in 2012. And the front office is very familiar with the 29-year old right hander. The Red Sox selected Fife in the third round of the 2008 draft.
Stephen Fife was 4-4 in 12 games, 10 starts, with a 3.86 ERA and 1.52 WHIP for the Dodgers in 2013. Fife made only one appearance in 2014 at the Major League level and 12 appearances in the minors before Tommy John surgery.
Over three seasons with the Dodgers (2012-14), Stephen Fife was 4-6 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Fife has allowed 41 runs, 37 earned, on 101 hits with 33 walks and 70 strikeouts in 91 innings (18 games, 16 starts).
Prior to arm injuries derailing his career, Fife featured an 89-92 mph fastball that could hit 94 mph with plenty of sink. Fife also threw a change-up and a hard curve. When he was considered one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system, Fife was projected as a No. 3 starter in the big leagues.
Stephen Fife joins what is becoming a rather long list of pitchers the Cubs will have in Spring Training that can either start or pitch out of the bullpen. The Cubs appear to be collecting swingmen as a way to build pitching depth for the Major League roster and at the upper levels of the minor league system.
• Stephen Fife’s Page on Baseball-Reference