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Cubs make roster decision on $1.25 million former Yankees first baseman originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Chicago Cubs should have a very busy offseason, as a huge chunk of the starting rotation has entered free agency.
They also have to decide if they'd like to re-sign outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. It may be hard for them to keep both players.
Before those decisions are made, the Cubs are starting to make smaller roster moves early in the offseason.
According to the MLB.com transaction log, the Cubs outrighted first baseman Tyler Austin off their 40-man roster this week.
Austin, who made his Major League debut with the New York Yankees in 2016, did not play for the Cubs in 2026.
Last February, Austin underwent season-ending surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee.
He signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with Chicago last winter after spending six seasons in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball's Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
MORE: Phillies predicted to sign Cubs' $85M former Silver Slugger finalist
Austin's last MLB game was played in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
He could decide to give it another go or look for a new playing opportunity in Japan or another professional league in Asia.
In 583 career plate appearances in the Majors, Austin is a .219/.292/.451 hitter with 33 home runs.
More MLB news:
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- Braves predicted to trade Ronald Acuna Jr. for Phillies' $330M two-time MVP in monster deal
- Dodgers get major Tarik Skubal free agency update as the offseason is officially underway
- Mets add infielder who had a .981 OPS at Triple-A for Angels
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cubs-roster-decision-1-25-162746126.html
