Cubs release left-handed reliever Rex Brothers

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The Cubs have decided to part ways with left-handed reliever Rex Brothers, as the team released the offseason acquisition on Thursday.

After getting Brothers from the Rockies last November in a trade for minor league lefty Wander Cabrera, the Cubs were hoping the 28-year-old could recapture his form from 2013, when Brothers was a promising young closer in Colorado. But that transition never happened for the Cubs, as Brothers struggled during his appearances this spring.

[SHOP: Gear up, Cubs fans!]

In three outings with the Cubs, Brothers allowed three hits, walked three and notched four strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Things grew ugly for Brothers in a relief appearance against the Diamondbacks on Sunday as he threw four wild pitches in one inning.

The release of Brothers officially puts the 40-man roster at 39 for the Cubs while the spring training roster is down to 62 players. 

Timing played a part in the release as the Cubs and Brothers avoided arbitration this winter when they agreed to a partially-guaranteed, one-year, $1.42 million deal. The partially-guaranteed contract means the Cubs only owe Brothers 30 days of termination pay, which amounts to around $300,000.

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By releasing Brothers now, the Cubs are saving close to $1.12 million while Brothers will get the rest of the month to catch on with another team in spring training before the regular season begins.

Brothers picked up 19 saves and registered a 1.74 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 67 innings during the 2013 season with the Rockies. But in 2014, Brothers struggled to replicate that success as his ERA skyrocketed to 5.59 in 56.1 innings pitched. After spending most of 2015 in the minors, Brothers was hoping to rejuvenate his career and get back to the majors with a strong spring. 

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