DONE: Cubs depart another highly rated profile from his league contract

The Cubs have released reliever Josh Staumont from his minor league contract, according to Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register. It’s unclear whether Staumont opted out of the deal or if the Cubs decided not to promote him.

Staumont is now back on the market just two weeks after joining Chicago. The 30-year-old made two appearances for the Cubs’ top minor league team in Iowa, where he struggled, walking five batters and recording only three outs. Earlier in the season, he had a strong 16:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 2/3 innings with the Twins’ top minor league affiliate, but his command faltered in Iowa.

A former second-round pick of the Royals, Staumont had a stint with Kansas City over five seasons, posting a solid 26.2% strikeout rate but also walking over 13% of batters faced in 168 1/3 innings. The Royals non-tendered him last winter, leading Staumont to sign a big league deal with Minnesota worth $950K. He made 25 appearances for the Twins, recording a 3.70 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. However, his strikeout rate fell to 17.6%, and his high walk rate led Minnesota to release him when they acquired Trevor Richards at the trade deadline.

Staumont’s representatives will now seek minor league opportunities for him over the next few weeks. He would need to join a new team by September 1 to be eligible for postseason play with that team, although his primary goal is to get back to the majors.