Anthony Wingenter: Everything you need to know

The Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball signed Wingenter to a one-year contract Sunday, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports. Wingenter, who turns 31 in April, boasts a career 30.5 percent strikeout rate but also a 12 percent walk rate and 5.66 ERA in parts of four major-league seasons. He'll try his luck overseas for the first time in his pro career.

Wingenter was non-tendered by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Wingenter was designated for assignment Wednesday, signaling his time with the organization was likely coming to a close. He'll hit free agency after spending most of 2024 at Triple-A, and he will likely be limited to a minor-league deal to begin 2025.

The Cubs designated Wingenter for assignment Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for trade acquisition Matt Thaiss. Wingenter, 30, boasts a 30.5 percent strikeout rate but also a 12 percent walk rate over parts of four seasons at the big-league level.