OAKLAND – The Oakland A’s claimed left-handed pitcher Giovanni Soto off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, the club announced Wednesday.
Soto began the 2016 season in the Indians organization but was traded to the Cubs on April 11 for cash considerations. He spent the entire season at Triple-A Iowa where he went 1-3 with a 5.14 ERA and .274 opponents batting average in 33 relief appearances. The 25-year-old left-hander struck out 55 batters in 49.0 innings but also walked 31.
He was designated for assignment on Saturday when the Cubs reinstated Kyle Schwarber from the 60-day disabled list.
Soto made his Major League debut with Cleveland in 2015 and did not allow a run or issue a walk in six games and 3.1 innings.
A native of Puerto Rico, Soto was selected by Detroit in the 21st round of the 2009 draft and was traded to the Indians July 28, 2010 for Jhonny Peralta and cash.
