Cubs claim Eduarniel Núñez off waivers from Orioles, adding depth with an upside swing

The Cubs claimed right-hander Eduarniel Núñez off waivers from the Orioles on June 8, turning a recent roster shuffle into a fresh chance at developing pitching depth. MLB’s transaction log lists the move as a waiver claim from Baltimore, with Chicago taking on Núñez without needing a corresponding major-league roster transaction. (In MLB, waiver claims are a direct way to acquire a player who has been removed from his current club’s 40-man roster.)

Núñez’s path to Chicago started in Baltimore. The Orioles designated him for assignment on June 4, a step that made him available to other teams seeking bullpen or roster insurance options. His MLB player page also reflects that DFA date, linking the waiver market to a short, time-bound opportunity for other clubs.

For the Cubs, the key operational detail is what happens next. MLB Trade Rumors reported that Chicago planned to option Núñez to the Arizona Complex League, a move that keeps the waiver claim on the farm side rather than immediately activating him for the Cubs’ major-league roster. That matters because it allows the organization to evaluate his command and pitch-to-pitch execution at a level where teams often refine mechanics, decision-making, and pitch sequencing.

The Cubs’ willingness to take on Núñez also fits a month of roster churn. MLB Trade Rumors pointed to two 40-man vacancies opening up around mid-May, tied to reliever Ty Blach and infielder Nicky Lopez being designated for assignment. MLB player transaction histories show Blach was DFA’d on May 19 and Lopez was DFA’d on May 23, creating roster space that can be reused quickly when a claim becomes available.

Núñez is not a prospect in the typical sense of years away from the majors, but he also does not present as a finished major-league piece. MLB Trade Rumors described him as a “known commodity” to Chicago because of prior organizational ties, including a long run through the Cubs’ system before he moved through other organizations in recent seasons. The common thread for Chicago is that Núñez profiles as a strikeout-capable pitcher with a track record that has required repeated adjustments.

Baltimore’s decision to move on from him also underscores how volatile the waiver market can be for players with command volatility. MLB Trade Rumors, in a separate recap of Núñez’s earlier season stop, characterized his struggles as particularly tied to walk rates and overall control, elements that tend to determine whether a pitcher can stay on a major-league roster long enough for coaching and refinement to “stick.”

What to watch next is whether the Cubs can stabilize the performance profile that brought Núñez to waivers in the first place. If he is indeed headed to the Arizona Complex League as reported, his early assignment will likely be judged by how quickly he can command his fastball and secondary pitches in a controlled environment. If that improves, Chicago could treat Núñez as an optionable depth piece while they continue to manage roster spots through the remainder of the season.