May 20--SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Cubs added bench depth Tuesday by purchasing the contract of first baseman-outfielder Mike Baxter from Triple-A Iowa.
Baxter, 30, is likely to serve as a left-handed pinch-hitter and outfielder. Baxter batted .290 in 34 games for Iowa.
Baxter is a lifetime .225 hitter over parts of five seasons with the San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. Baxter's best season occurred in 2012 with the Mets, batting .263 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 89 games.
Baxter arrived in San Diego and took early batting practice with his teammates at Petco Park.
Baxter takes the roster spot of catcher Welington Castillo, who was dealt to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Yourvis Medina (who was assigned to Iowa).
