The Chicago Cubs have claimed right-handed reliever Eduarniel Núñez off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, bringing back the hard-throwing pitcher to his original organization.
Núñez, now 27-years-old, was an international free agent, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2017. He first made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League before he made his stateside debut in 2018. He slowly climbed up the Cubs’ minor league system, ultimately breaking out as a notable arm in Chicago’s farm during the 2024 season.
The arm talent earned Núñez a promotion to Triple-A after he dominated the Double-A level to the tune of a 0.00 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 15.2 innings to begin 2024. However, Núñez didn’t last long with the Iowa Cubs, as he was demoted after a month in Triple-A in which he allowed 12 earned runs in 11.2 innings. In his first nine appearances in Triple-A, Núñez walked 18 batters or 30% of the hitters he faced over a month.
It was pretty bad, but at the very least, Núñez was able to get another shot in Iowa in 2024, as he advanced to Triple-A again in late August. His second go-around was better, a 4.50 ERA in 12 innings, but the walks were still an issue, and after the 2024 season was over, Núñez hit the market as a minor league free agent. It didn’t take long for him to sign with a new organization, as he agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres in November. He once again looked good in Double-A in the Padres’ farm system and was then bumped up to Triple-A in June of 2025.
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On July 2, 2025, Núñez made his MLB debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-handed pitcher had a few stints in the majors that season, four appearances with the Padres and then six more with the Athletics. Núñez was part of the blockbuster trade that involved star closer Mason Miller getting dealt to the Padres.
Overall in 2025, Núñez posted good numbers in Triple-A across his time with both organizations: a 2.51 ERA, 71 strikeouts, 25 walks, and only two home runs allowed in 46.2 innings. The walk rate remained high at 13.5%, but that also came with an impressive 38.4 K% and an opponent batting average of .170. That, however, didn’t translate to MLB success, as Núñez posted a 7.11 ERA and allowed as many walks as strikeouts (11) in 12.2 innings.
He throws hard, averaging 98mph with his fastball as a rookie in 2025, and can rush it up there at 100mph. Núñez also features a slider and curveball.
Unlike some of these other minor moves that you see throughout the season, Núñez is already on the Cubs’ 40-man roster. He obviously has to work things out, so the Cubs optioned him to the minors after claiming him off waivers from the Orioles and assigned the pitcher to the Arizona Complex League to get more in-depth coaching.
Núñez was recently designated for assignment by the Orioles after posting a 7.13 ERA in 17.2 innings in Triple-A to begin the 2026 season.
