CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Génesis (HAY-neh-sees) Cabrera on a one-year major league contract. In a corresponding move, the Cubs have designated RHP Brooks Kriske for assignment.
Cabrera, 28, appeared in seven games, all in relief, for the New York Mets this season, posting a 3.52 ERA (3 ER/7.2 IP) with seven strikeouts before being designated for assignment May 24 and electing free agency.
Last season with Toronto, the lefty made 69 relief appearances, posting a 3.59 ERA (25 ER/62.2 IP) with 50 strikeouts compared to 29 walks and two saves. His 69 appearances ranked 12th among American League relievers.
Over his major league career, he is 17-14 with a 3.88 ERA (122 ER/283.1 IP) in 278 career games (2 starts) across parts of seven seasons with St. Louis (2019-23), Toronto (2023-24) and New York-N.L. (2025). Cabrera has made 60-plus appearances in three of his last five major league seasons (2021 – career-high 71 games, 2023 – 61 games and 2024 – 69 games). His 71 games in 2021 were the sixth-most among A.L. relievers en route to recording career-highs in wins (4), innings pitched (70.0 IP) and strikeouts (77).
A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Cabrera was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013 as an international free agent before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals July 31, 2018, along with Justin Williams and Roel Ramirez for Tommy Pham and Future Considerations.
He made his major league debut May 29, 2019 at Philadelphia, striking out five batters across 3.2 innings, surrendering three runs.
Kriske made one appearance for the Cubs this season, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings.
The Cubs play the Cincinnati Reds tomorrow at 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field in a game that can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score and, in Spanish, on WRTO 1200 AM.