Everett native Steven Souza Jr. has been designated for assignment by Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.
Souza, a 31-year-old outfielder and graduate of Cascade High School, was designated for assignment in between games of a doubleheader Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Souza started in left field during the first game of the doubleheader, but was informed of the move prior to the second. The Cubs acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin and designated hitter Jose Martinez in advance of last Monday’s trade deadline, meaning Souza was deemed excess to the team’s needs.
Souza, signed as a free agent during the offseason, batted .148 with one home run in 11 games with the Cubs. He had just been activated from the 10-day injured list after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Being designated for assignment means Souza was removed from Chicago’s 40-man roster. The Cubs have seven days to either trade Souza or place him on irrevocable outright waivers. If Souza is placed on waivers and not claimed by another team, the Cubs can outright him to the minor leagues or release him, though Souza’s veteran status means he can refuse the minor-league assignment and become a free agent.
This is the latest setback for Souza, who was The Herald’s 2017 Man of the Year in Sports after clubbing 30 homers for the Tampa Bay Rays. Since then Souza’s career has been riddled by injuries, including a devastating knee injury that wiped out his entire 2019 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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