The Cubs took their first major step toward addressing their starting pitching Thursday by signing free agent Tyler Chatwood to a three-year contract worth $38 million.
Chatwood, 27, is 40-46 with two saves and a 4.31 ERA in 130 major-league appearances _ including 113 starts _ with the Angels (2011) and Rockies (2012-14, 2016-17).
Chatwood missed all of 2015 because of Tommy John surgery but is tied with Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals for second in the National League in road ERA the last two seasons (2.57). Only three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw (2.16) has a better road mark during that span.
Chatwood was 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA in a career-high 27 starts with the Rockies in 2016, including an 8-1 mark and 1.69 ERA on the road.
Chatwood was 8-15 with a 4.69 ERA in 33 appearances (25 as a starter) with the Rockies last season, tying for the most losses in the NL.
He will fit in the back end of the rotation behind Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana. The Cubs' 40-man roster is at 35.
