Pitcher Joins NL Team After Opting Out Of Red Sox Contract

It didn't take Lucas Luetge very long to find a new home after leaving the Red Sox.

Luetge, who opted out of his contract with Boston on Aug. 3 and hit free agency, revealed via Instagram that he had joined the Cubs organization. Not long after the social media update Wednesday, MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported the left-handed landed a minor-league deal in Chicago.

The Red Sox signed Luetge to a minor-league deal Feb. 10. The 37-year-old, who Boston never promoted to the big leagues, appeared in 31 games for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox and logged a 3.02 ERA with 47 strikeouts. With the Cubs, Luetge will be looking to toe the mound at baseball's highest level, where he has 230 career appearances between stints with the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.

Luetge also became the second pitcher Chicago plucked from Boston this month. The Cubs on Aug. 2 claimed Trey Wingenter, who the Red Sox designated for assignment on July 30 after trading for him on July 6.

Chicago entered Thursday five games back of the final National League wild-card spot. The North Siders remain out of the playoff picture despite owning the fifth-best team ERA (3.74) in all of baseball.