The Chicago Cubs added depth to their pitching pipeline on Monday by agreeing to terms with right-hander Bruno López on a two-year minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

The move, first reported by Chicago Tribune writer Meghan Montemurro, arrived on the same day that reports suggested the Cubs were unlikely to pursue free-agent ace Tarik Skubal despite a clear need for starting pitching.

López, a 24-year-old native of Santiago in the Dominican Republic, spent the previous seven seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

He made his professional debut in 2021 and spent his first three years in rookie-level ball.

His most recent affiliated action came in 2025, when he logged a 4.64 ERA across 21.1 innings split between High-A and rookie ball.

Over parts of four minor-league seasons he has posted a 3.63 ERA in 74.1 innings with 100 strikeouts.

López did not pitch in affiliated ball in 2026 after undergoing a procedure to remove bone chips from his elbow.

The right-hander’s calling card is a fastball that regularly sits in the 98-99 mph range.

That velocity, combined with his age and remaining years of team control under the minor-league deal, gives the Cubs a low-risk arm who can compete for a spot in camp and potentially contribute in the upper minors or as organizational depth in 2027.

The signing comes as the Cubs face significant turnover in their rotation.

Clay Holmes, Matthew Boyd, and Shota Imanaga are all free agents, leaving the starting staff thinner than it has been in recent seasons.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has already shown a willingness to trade prospect capital for help, most notably at the 2026 deadline, and the club is expected to explore both free-agent and trade avenues for more established starters.

López’s addition is far from a solution to those needs, but it represents a modest step toward replenishing the pitching ranks while larger decisions play out.

With a potential work stoppage looming in December, activity across the league is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks.

For now, the Cubs have quietly secured a hard-throwing right-hander who knows the Cardinals’ system and will get a chance to make an impression when pitchers and catchers report to spring training.