Cubs sign corner infielder Edwin Ríos, put Ethan Roberts on 60-day IL

MESA, ARIZ. – The Cubs signed corner infielder Edwin Ríos to a one-year contract on Friday. The deal was worth $1 million, according to a source.

He was already with the team at the spring training site in Mesa, Arizona when the deal became official.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs put reliever Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgery) on the 60-day injured list. 

Ríos, a left-handed hitter, joins the position battle at third base, one that includes Patrick Wisdom, Nick Madrigal and Zach McKinstry. He also adds depth to the Cubs’ first base options and can play the corner outfield. Ríos has a minor-league option year left and two more years of club control remaining after this season. 

In four years with the Dodgers, Ríos played a total of 112 games. He was slashing .244/.293/.500 last year before a hamstring injury and trip to the 60-day IL interrupted his season. When he returned from injury, the Dodgers optioned him to Triple-A. 

Roberts is in the fourth week of his throwing program, stretched out to 75 feet on flat ground. He told the Sun-Times he’s targeting a full return about 14 months post-op, which would be in September.

“It sucks — I put the team in a bad spot with me being on the IL for a year and a half,” Roberts said. “It’s terrible. But this organization has been really good to me. Fans have been awesome. And I’m gonna make it up to them. It’s going to be fun. Just got to give me a little bit of time, but I’m gonna make it up to everybody.”