The Chicago Cubs have signed 28-year-old right-hander Daniel Missaki out of the Mexican League. Missaki was pitching for the Diablos Rojos in 2024, but the club announced he was signing with the Chicago Cubs on X.
The club wished Missaki success in Spanish on social media as they announced his contract with the Cubs. Missaki has had a long road back to affiliate ball. He signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2014, but a series of Tommy John surgeries eventually prevented him from pitching in the majors.
Missaki pitched for Brazil in the 2013 World Baseball Classic as a 16-year-old.
Missaki’s Long Road Back
At the age of 16, Missaki made a name for himself on the World Baseball Classic stage. Missaki signed with the Mariners organization shortly after. He pitched for the Mariners affiliates but was eventually traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Missaki was involved in the trade for Adam Lind that sent All-Star Freddy Peralta to the Brewers.
Missaki held a 7-6 record with a 3.40 ERA in 24 games in the Mariners system. He underwent his first Tommy John surgery in 2015. Missaki would not pitch in affiliate ball in 2016 and 2017. He had his second Tommy John surgery in 2017, according to World Baseball Classic reporter Shawn Spradling. He attended spring training with the Brewers in 2018, but the club eventually released him.
