The Cubs designated an outfielder Phillip Ervin for assignment. The change opens a vacancy in the list for Jake Marisnick, whose signature is now official.
This is the third DFA in less than six months for Ervin, who was appointed by the Reds in late August and later claimed by the Mariners. The Cubs then removed Ervin from the Seattle exemption rope in December. As Ervin is out of the minor league options, it is possible that he will be a frequent visitor from DFA’s limbo throughout the 2021 season.
Selected 27th overall in the 2013 draft, Ervin did not flourish on a daily regular in Cincinnati, but he contributed a solid .262 / .326 / .438 cut line in 571 2017-19 plate appearances. He fought hard last season, however, reaching just 0.149 / .292 / .189 in 89 PA with the Reds and Mariners. This included a brutal coda for Ervin’s management in Cincinnati, as he managed only three hits in his last 42 PAs in a Reds uniform.
Ervin hit the left-hand shot well in his career and can play all three field positions, although the Cubs appear to have classified Marisnick (who signed a contract with the Major League) as his first choice for fourth place as a striker. With Cameron Maybin also back in a minor league deal, Ervin looks like the strange man out of the field hitting mix with his right hand.