The San Diego Padres, desperate for starting pitching while battling for the playoffs, signed former Cubs Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta to a contract Monday for the rest of the season, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal.
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.
Arrieta, released last week from the Cubs, is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
The Padres, who failed to acquire a starter at the trade deadline, are two men down with Yu Darvish (back) and Chris Paddack (oblique) going on the injured list.
Arrieta, who won the 2015 National League Cy Young award, badly struggled in his return with the Cubs this season. He yielded a 6.88 ERA in 86 ⅓ innings, including eight runs in four innings in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers. He has yet to last past six innings in his last 13 starts, and went four or fewer innings in his past five starts.
The Padres hold the second wild card spot, but are now only 2 ½ games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds.
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