The Cubs declined to tender Cook a contract for 2016, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cook was knocked around to the tune of an 18.69 ERA in nine appearances between Oakland and Boston last season, a far cry from the 2.09 mark he posted in 71 games with the A's in 2012. He's now a free agent with the Cubs non-tendering him, but Cook may have to settle for a minor league deal with a free agent invite after the poor campaign.

Cook was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cook spent the majority of the 2015 season in the minors, but struggled in limited doses in the majors with Oakland and Boston. He'll act as bullpen depth in Chicago and could work his way onto the Opening Day roster with a strong showing in the spring.

Cook will be added to Boston's roster from Triple-A Pawtucket before Tuesday's game, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cook struggled in the majors this season with 14 ER and 17 hits allowed in 6.1 innings. He was better at Triple-A with a 3.16 ERA and 36:16 K:BB ratio in 42.2 innings. He'll add depth in the bullpen as he tries to rebuild his major league career.

Cook was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports. Cook simply wasn't getting it done in the big leagues this season, allowing a run in all but one appearance on his way to accumulating a 10.38 ERA. He'll get a chance to work it out in the minors, where the right-hander will need to show some consistency before receiving another opportunity.

Cook took the loss on Wednesday night, allowing three runs over 0.1 innings. Cook struggled in the spring and was sent to Triple-A, but seemed to have worked his issues out and was used in a tie game on Wednesday. The A's will likely consider the outing just a blip on the radar, but will watch him closely after his issues this spring.

Cook made his return to the A's on Sunday, throwing a scoreless seventh inning in a tie game. The A's threw Cook right into a high leverage spot as he entered the game in a 5-5 tie. Cook has a chance to return to the setup role he has manned the last couple of years with a few strong outings, especially with the A's struggles so far in the bullpen.

Cook was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, CSN Bay Area reports. The Athletics decided to ship Kendall Graveman back to the minors in a corresponding move, opening the door for Jesse Chavez to earn a full-time rotation spot while Cook helps restore some bullpen depth. Cook has been one of the A's top relievers since making the squad out of spring training as a rookie in 2012, but his unexpected struggles in spring training resulted in him opening 2015 with the Triple-A club. He since seems to have ironed out his issues, as he tossed 5.2 scoreless innings for Nashville while conceding only one hit and walking two batters.

Cook was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Cook struggled mightily in five appearances with the major league team this spring, giving up a whopping 13 runs (10 earned) on 16 hits in 5.1 innings. The team will send him down to work on some mechanical adjustments, but it sounds like Cook could return in short order if he's able to get things ironed out. On the bright side, he did issue just one walk in Cactus League action.

Cook isn't considered a lock to break camp as a member of the bullpen for the Athletics, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. After delivering stellar numbers in middle relief for the Athletics over the last three seasons, Cook was once viewed as a potential candidate to close at the beginning of 2015 with Sean Doolittle (shoulder) likely to open the year on the DL. Instead, a horrendous spring training during which he's surrendered 13 runs (10 earned) on 16 hits over 5.1 innings has put his standing on the 25-man roster in peril. Unlike some of the other competitors for the remaining bullpen spots, Cook has minor-league options remaining, which further hurts his chances of coming away with a gig. He'll need to turn the corner over the next two weeks of Cactus League play if he hopes to avoid heading back to Triple-A for the first time since 2011.

Cook will be in the A's closer competition this spring due to Sean Doolittle likely opening the year on the DL, reports Jane Lee of MLB.com. Tyler Clippard is likely the favorite for saves, but Cook did serve as the A's closer for a half in 2012 and is coming off an excellent 2014 where he struck out a batter per inning and had a 1.08 WHIP. Cook's walks (4.0 BB/9 in 2014) are the biggest issue with him closing, but he did improve his control in the second half in 2014 with only 6 walks in 22.2 innings after the All Star Break.