Cubs non-tender RHP Hector Rondon, C/INF Taylor Davis … Release RHP Matt Carasiti
The Cubs made three roster moves prior to Friday’s deadline to tender contracts to players for the 2018 season. The Cubs did not offer contracts to RHP Hector Rondon and C/INF Taylor Davis for next season. RHP Matt Carasiti was released so he could sign with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.
Rondon and Davis are now free agents and are eligible to sign with any organization.
With Friday’s roster moves, the Cubs 40-man roster stands at 34 players.
Hector Rondon, 29, was picked up in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft and became an integral part of the Cubs’ turnaround. Rondon was excellent as the team’s closer in 2014 and 2015. Rondon helped the Cubs advance to the NLCS in 2015, closing out the NLDS over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Rondon began the 2016 season pitching in the ninth inning. Rondon moved to a setup role when Aroldis Chapman was acquired and took the demotion as a pro.
In his five years pitching out of the Cubs’ pen, Rondon posted an 18-13 record in 296 games with 77 saves, a 3.22 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. In 2015, Rondon was 6-4 with a 1.67 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 30 saves in 70 innings.
Hector Rondon will always be linked to the Cubs’ World Series Championship team.
