Kyle Wright: Everything you need to know

Wright signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Tuesday and received an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Wright made eight appearances in the Royals' farm system last year while working his way back from an oblique injury, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 23 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. The 30-year-old will now get to show the Cubs what he can do when fully healthy this spring, but he's likely destined to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa.

Wright elected to become a free agent Friday. Wright cleared waivers after being removed from the Royals' 40-man roster earlier this week, and he's decided to exercise his right to free agency. The right-hander didn't pitch at all in 2024 and made only eight rehab starts in 2025 due to right shoulder surgery and more recently a strained oblique. Wright is healthy now but faces an uncertain free-agent market.

The Royals placed Wright on outright waivers Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Wright didn't pitch at all in 2024 and made only eight rehab starts in 2025 due to right shoulder surgery and more recently an oblique strain. He's considered healthy now, but Wright's velocity was down and he posted a 5.48 ERA in his 23 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha this season. The former 20-game winner turned 30 last month and might have to settle for a minor-league contract this offseason.