James Bourque P

Bourque (elbow) signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on Friday which includes an invitation to spring training, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 27-year-old righty has made a total of seven relief appearances in his big-league career, giving up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings while striking out one batter and walking seven. His 2020 campaign ended prematurely due an elbow strain, though it's not clear whether or not that will affect him heading into spring training. His profile certainly doesn't suggest he's a favorite to earn a role on the Opening Day roster, especially as he also owns a poor 5.56 ERA in 43.2 innings at the Triple-A level.

Bourque (elbow) cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.

Bourque suffered an elbow strain late in the season. He threw just four innings prior to the injury, allowing three runs while striking out one batter and walking five. Now that he's off the 40-man roster, he'll have a tougher path to his next big-league appearance once healthy.

Bourque was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow strain Monday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Bourque is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday that could help determine the severity of his injury ahead of the offseason. He'll be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season as a result of his elbow issue. Paolo Espino's contract was selected by the Nationals in a corresponding move.

Bourque (arm) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals are still looking to get a firm diagnosis on Bourque's injury after he exited the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Marlins due to right arm tightness. Even if the MRI returns negative, Bourque could still be shut down for the season as a precaution. He's made six low-leverage appearances out of the bullpen in 2020, giving up three earned runs in four innings.

Bourque left the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Marlins due to arm tightness, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.

Bourque threw four pitches in relief during Sunday's nightcap and allowed one hit. He was removed from the game, and manager Dave Martinez revealed after the game that he's being evaluated with an arm injury. The severity of the issue isn't yet known, but Martinez said that the team should know the results of Bourque's tests Monday.

Bourque was recalled by the Nationals on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Bourque was sent to the Nationals' alternate training site in early August when active rosters shrunk from 30 to 28 players, but he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen after Dakota Bacus (hip) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Bourque was effective over a limited sample during his time in the majors to begin the season as he tossed 1.1 scoreless innings. He should pitch mainly in lower-leverage situations.

The Nationals optioned Bourque to their alternate training site in Fredericksburg on Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

With the Nationals needing to reduce their active roster from 30 to 28 men ahead of Thursday's deadline, Bourque ended up losing out to Kyle Finnegan for the final spot in the Washington bullpen. Bourque had only appeared in two of the Nationals' games to date, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings.

The Nationals recalled Bourque from Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday.

The transaction reverses one from the spring, when Bourque was optioned to Double-A. Bourque was one of the beneficiaries of MLB allowing teams to carry 30-man rosters into Opening Day during the season, as he may have been on the chopping block if the Nationals were limited to 26 men. The 27-year-old will fill a low-leverage role while he's up with the big club.

Bourque was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Bourque compiled a 2.84 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB across 6.1 innings before spring training was put on hold. Nonetheless, he'll head back to the minors to begin the season after posting a 5.56 ERA across 43.2 innings in his first taste of Triple-A in 2019.

Bourque was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Bourque was shuttled back to the minors to free up a roster spot for Anibal Sanchez (hamstring), who was activated from the injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Braves. The 25-year-old made just one appearance during his time with the Nationals, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks while recording just two outs.

The Nationals recalled Bourque from Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday.

Bourque assumed the active roster spot of fellow reliever Joe Ross, who was optioned to Triple-A Fresno. Over 14 appearances with Harrisburg, Bourque posted a 1.33 ERA to go with an eye-popping 33:6 K:BB in 20.1 innings. He'll likely be ticketed for lower-leverage usage in his initial action with the Nationals and could quickly emerge as one of the top setup options for closer Sean Doolittle if he finds some early success in the majors.

Bourque was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

As a pitcher who threw just 19.2 innings at Double-A last year, Bourque was never going to make the roster out of camp. However, he also happens to be the Nationals' top relief prospect, so it's a name to remember for 2020.