The Cubs optioned left-handers Rex Brothers and Justin Steele to alternate site South Bend as rosters had to be trimmed from 30 to 28. MLB and the MLBPA agreed on Thursday to keep rosters at 28 the remainder of the 2020 regular season and postseason and expand team taxi squads from three to five players.
Originally, there would have been an additional roster trim from 28 to 26 in two weeks.
The Cubs also signed right-hander Kelvin Herrera and left-hander Matt Dermody to minor-league deals on Thursday and assigned both to South Bend.
Hererra, 30, was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Wednesday.