Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Braden Looper Throws For Cubs Officials

Free-agent right-hander Braden Looper threw for Cubs officials Tuesday in Chicago, according to major-league sources.

Looper, who lives in Chicago, is willing to be flexible about his role if the Cubs sign him, one source said.

The Cubs’ greater current need is in their young, injury-depleted bullpen.

Left-hander Ted Lilly is expected to rejoin the team’s rotation this weekend, forcing the move of left-hander Tom Gorzellany or right- hander Carlos Silva to a bullpen role.

Looper, 35, almost certainly would require a minor-league assignment before he could pitch in the majors again.

He went 14-7 with a 5.22 ERA in 34 starts for the Brewers last season and also was a starter for the Cardinals in 2007 and ’08.

However, Looper can fill a variety of roles — he was a reliever for the Cardinals in ’06 and a closer for the Marlins and Mets from ’03 to ’05.

— Ken Rosenthal

Fox Sports

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