The Chicago Cubs added a new pitcher to their 40-man roster, scooping up ex-second-round pick Christian Roa off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. It’s been a wild ride for Roa, who began his pro career with the Cincinnati Reds, made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2025, made seven appearances with the Houston Astros this year, and has now been claimed by his third team in 2026.
Roa, 27, was designated for assignment by the Astros on April 21 and was first picked up off waivers by the Minnesota Twins two days later. The right-handed pitcher was in Triple-A for a couple of weeks before the Baltimore Orioles acquired him via waivers on May 10. Now, Roa is with his fourth organization in 2026, and seeing how often Cubs pitchers have gotten injured, this is probably a good spot for Roa to get back in MLB.
The right-handed pitcher obviously hasn’t stuck in the majors. He made two relief outings in 2025, throwing three shutout innings with the Marlins. Then, after agreeing to a minor league deal with the Astros back in January, Roa did make Houston’s Opening Day roster. Roa struggled out of the gate, surrendering a run in Houston’s first game of the season. Then, he gave up four runs in his final three appearances, leading to his DFA.
In limited MLB time, Roa has a 3.86 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, nine strikeouts, and 10 walks in 11.2 innings.
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Roa was drafted with the 48th overall pick out of Texas A&M by the Reds in 2020. There was no 2020 minor league season, so Roa made his pro debut in 2021. Unfortunately, the pitcher had an arm injury, which kept Roa sidelined for a few months. Another injury delayed Roa’s 2022 start, and he just never made the next leap in the minor leagues with the Reds. Roa made it up to Triple-A by 2023, but another injury set him back in 2024, and in the offseason, he was claimed off waivers by the Marlins.
On the bright side, Roa did have a great 2025 season at Triple-A in Miami’s minor league system. The right-hander had a 2.83 ERA in 60.1 innings with 64 strikeouts in 50 games. However, the walks were an issue as Roa recorded an 11.4 BB%.
We’ll see if Roa makes it back up to MLB with the Cubs, who have been busy adding pitchers since the season started. Roa is now the sixth pitcher the Cubs have gotten since Opening Day.
May 17: Christian Roa claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles
May 7: Tyler Ferguson acquired in a trade with the Athletics
April 28: Doug Nikhazy claimed off waivers from the White Sox
April 27: Luis Peralta claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals
April 14: Ty Blach signed a minor league deal
April 14: Paul Campbell signed a minor league deal
Roa does have minor league options remaining.
