San Diego Padres sign ex-Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The San Diego Padres, in desperate need of pitching help as they attempt to hold on to the National League's second wild-card spot, have signed veteran right-hander Jake Arrieta to a Minor League contract.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler told reporters Monday that Arrieta was placed on the team's taxi squad after joining the club in Denver for the beginning of a three-game series.

Arrieta is expected to be called up to make his first start with the team Wednesday against the Rockies.

"He's done a lot of things," Tingler said of Arrieta. "As somebody with that type of experience and resume, to be able to put him in a little bit of a change of scenery -- a great opportunity to pitch, to pitch well and to pitch for a winning team.

"So we'll see how the next couple weeks line up. But I think it's a great opportunity for both sides -- for us and for Arrieta."

The Chicago Cubs released Arrieta last week after he was 5-11 with a 6.88 ERA over 20 starts this season. He was in his second stint with the franchise.

Arrieta was the NL Cy Young Award winner as a member of the Cubs in 2015. He also helped the club win the 2016 World Series -- the organization's first championship since 1908.

The 35-year-old Arrieta posted a 68-31 record and 2.73 ERA in 128 starts over five years during his first stint in Chicago.

He then signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in March 2018. He went 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA across 64 starts in Philadelphia.

The Padres were in need of pitching reinforcements after placing Yu Darvish on the 10-day injured list Sunday with lower back tightness. San Diego also is without starter Chris Paddack, who was put on the IL in late July with an oblique strain.

The Padres (67-53) entered Monday night with a 2 1/2-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the second wild-card spot in the NL.