Robert

Gsellman

Gsellman signed a minor league contract with the Nationals back in late January and has been cut loose after posting a disastrous 8.75 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 34/19 K/BB ratio across 36 innings (17 appearances, four starts) for Triple-A Rochester. The 30-year-old righty hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2022 campaign.

Rutledge, 24, made four starts for the Nationals during the 2023 season, registering a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 12/6 K/BB ratio across 20 innings of work. He was always a longshot to crack the team’s Opening Day roster though. Rutledge posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 7/5 K/BB ratio over seven innings during Grapefruit League play.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post notes that Gsellman will earn $900,000 if he makes the big league roster. The 30-year-old right-hander spent the past two seasons pitching for the Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. In 202e he compiled a 4.63 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and a 72/48 K/BB ratio over 116 2/3 innings there in his 23 starts.

Gsellman will remain in Japan for the upcoming 2023 season. He latched on with the BayStarts last August shortly after being released by the Cubs. The 29-year-old right-hander, who was once a highly-touted prospect with the Mets last decade, posted a strong 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 12/6 K/BB ratio across 20 1/3 innings last year in his Japan debut.

Gsellman was released by the Cubs last month after making eight relief appearances this season in the majors. The 29-year-old former top prospect will aim to rebuild his value overseas in Japan for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Gsellman allowed 10 runs (eight earned) on 17 hits with a 9/3 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings (eight appearances) this season for the Cubs at the major-league level. The 28-year-old righty should be able to find a new opportunity this season, but will likely have to settle for a minor league contract.

Gsellman went unclaimed on waivers and will remain with the Cubs as organizational relief depth. The 28-year-old righty posted a serviceable 4.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 9/3 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings (eight appearances) this season at the major-league level.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for Brandon Hughes. Gsellman holds a 5.02 ERA over seven relief appearances this season.

Gsellman will hop into the Cubs’ bullpen on Tuesday night and figures to see action in relief behind Scott Effross, who is making a spot start after Drew Smyly suddenly went on the bereavement list.

The Cubs have just 31 players left in major-league camp this spring after the latest round of cuts. No major surprises, but Vargas’s inclusion means that Chicago won’t have a true backup shortstop behind Nico Hoerner to open the regular season while Andrelton Simmons is out with a shoulder issue.