Almonte returns for another stint with the Cubs after making 17 relief appearances last year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in early July. The 30-year-old has made 213 big-league appearances dating back to 2018 and represents quality organizational depth.

Almonte has opted for the season-ending procedure after receiving a second opinion earlier this month that wasn’t encouraging. The 30-year-old righty was acquired from the Dodgers during the offseason and winds up making just 17 relief appearances this season for Chicago.

The Cubs will have him shut down from throwing for a while before making a decision on whether or not he’ll undergo a surgical procedure of continue to go with the rest and rehab route. He shouldn’t be expected to return any time this season.

Almonte has a shoulder strain and has not been progressing, which has led the Cubs to seek other opinions on a recovery process. The move doesn’t change his ambiguous timeline but frees up a roster spot that allows the Cubs to add reliever Vinny Nittoli to the active roster.