McCarthy was cut loose by the Cubs after making just three relief appearances at Triple-A Iowa this season. The 30-year-old righty holds a respectable 3.80 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 120/61 K/BB ratio across 191 2/3 frames (169 appearances) at the major-league level since 2016.

McCarthy last appeared in the majors during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he made five relief appearances with the Royals. The 30-year-old righty holds a respectable 3.80 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 120/61 K/BB ratio across 191 2/3 frames (169 appearances) at the major-league level since 2016. He split the entire 2021 season at the Triple-A level between the Red Sox and White Sox. He'll likely function as organizational relief depth for the Cubs whenever the 2022 season gets underway.

McCarthy was released by the Red Sox in late August after struggling to a 7.13 ERA in 35 1/3 innings at Triple-A Rochester. The 29-year-old will serve as organizational relief depth for Chicago.

McCarthy signed a minor league contract with Boston over the offseason and had struggled to the tune of a 7.13 ERA in 35 1/3 innings this summer at Triple-A Worcester while working mostly in relief.