MLB: Jake Arrieta signs a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres

Jake Arrieta will now play with an MLB playoff contender after getting released by the Chicago Cubs as he has signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday.

The former NL Cy Young Award winner is expected to make his first start for the Padres on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies.

The Padres have had a torrid season as far as injuries are concerned as Chris Paddack (left oblique strain) and Yu Darvish (back tightness) are on the 10-day injured list. The club signed Arrieta to add depth to their rotation.

According to San Diego manager Jayce Tingler, Arrieta was put on the team’s taxi squad after joining the team in Denver for the start of a three-game series, the Associated Press reported.

Arrieta was released by the Cubs just last week on Thursday. The move from the Chicago-based outfit came a day after he allowed eight runs in four innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. He also mocked a reporter for wearing a mask during his postgame interview.

Arrieta went 5-11 with a 6.88 ERA in 20 starts for Chicago, a disappointing return to the team for which he had his greatest success. He is 115-90 with a 3.93 ERA over 12 seasons with Baltimore, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

He won the Cy Young Award in 2015 and had another superb season in 2016, helping the Cubs to a drought-busting World Series title.