Cishek has identified a flaw in his mechanics that led to last season's 5.40 ERA over 20 innings, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The side-arming Cishek noticed his arm slot was about six inches higher than normal, which led to a flat sinker. Opposing batters raked against the pitch, hitting .395 off it with a .789 slugging percentage. By contrast, the opposition managed .261 and .405 off the same pitch in 2019, when he posted a 2.95 ERA over 64 innings for the Cubs. "That's the first time in my career my two-seamer has been hit that hard," Cishek said. "I've been hit hard plenty of times, but not on a consistent basis like that. Obviously, that was a wake-up call that something is not right." He tried to make in-season adjustments but ran out of time during the shortened season. The Astros revamped their bullpen during the offseason and the 34-year-old, a non-roster invitee, is expected to earn a spot.

Cishek signed with the Astros as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek owns a strong 2.78 career ERA and remained below 3.00 in that category in eight of his first 10 seasons, but he was forced to settle for a minor-league deal after a disappointing 2020 campaign. In 20 innings for the White Sox, he posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, with his 32.2 percent groundball rate coming in well below his career 48.9 percent mark. If he proves last year was just a blip, he'll be a steal for the Astros, but a rebound can't be taken for granted in the veteran righty's age-35 season.

Cishek was released by the White Sox on Monday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox could have picked up Cishek's team option for $6 million next season, but they'll instead send him to free agency slightly early after designating him for assignment the previous week. He wasn't impressive in his 20 innings of relief this season, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

Cishek was designated for assignment Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox activated a pair of hurlers (Carlos Rodon, Aaron Bummer) from the 45-day injured list and needed to clear a couple 40-man roster spots in the process. Cishek logged a 5.40 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 20 innings this season.

Cishek allowed a run on three hits and hit a batter over one inning in Monday's 6-4 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek entered in the fifth inning with the White Sox holding a lead and allowed two inherited runners to score, then a run of his own an inning later. He's given up runs in three of five appearances and has a 6.75 ERA.

Cishek is working out at home, using a mound he ordered, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek is also wearing a Motus sleeve, a device designed to monitor the workload of his arm. Like most pitchers during the delay in MLB, Cishek is trying to keep his arm in shape, but he will need a ramp-up when baseball eventually begins. "I'm trying to keep it at a certain level so I can maintain. That way when spring training comes around, I'm not getting crushed. I think once things ramp up, I'm going to definitely start linking up with catchers and throwing off the mound." He will be the right-handed component of the setup crew, along with lefty Aaron Bummer, who will be the bridge to closer Alex Colome.

Cishek is projected for a spot in the White Sox's bullpen, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This comes as no surprise. The White Sox inked the 33-year-old right-hander after he posted a fourth consecutive season with an ERA under three. It's just a matter of where he slots in among the late-inning crew. He was one of several offseason acquisitions to shine in spring training, striking out five over four scoreless innings. Cishek and Aaron Bummer will be the seventh and eighth inning bridges to closer Alex Colome. They are also next in line should Colome stumble.

Cishek signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the White Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal contains a club option for a second year at the same annual salary. The 33-year-old has never had an ERA worse than 3.58 in his 10-year career and has kept his ERA below 3.00 for four straight years, most recently posting a 2.95 ERA in 64 innings for the Cubs. His peripherals weren't particularly encouraging, as both his 21.4 percent strikeout rate and 10.9 percent walk rate were worse than league average, leading to a 4.54 FIP and a 4.95 xFIP. Cishek's career ERA (2.69) is nearly a run better than his xFIP (3.64), however, so it's possible he's the rare pitcher who can reliably outperform his underlying metrics. With 132 career saves to his name, it's possible the veteran finds his way into a ninth-inning role at some point this season, but incumbent closer Alex Colome did nothing to lose his job last season, saving 30 games while posting a 2.80 ERA.

Cishek (hip) was activated off the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Giants, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek was placed on the injured list Aug. 10 with left hip inflammation, but he completed a pain-free bullpen session over the weekend and was able to return after spending the 10-day minimum on the shelf. The 33-year-old gave up seven runs over his last four innings prior to landing on the IL, so he'll look to regain his first-half form -- 2.75 ERA and 1.02 WHIP -- after the brief injury hiatus.

Cishek (hip) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Giants, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs haven't made the move official yet, but they did open up a roster spot by optioning David Bote to Triple-A Iowa on Monday night. Cishek has been sidelined since Aug. 10 due to left hip inflammation, though he's since fired two bullpens without issue and should be back in Chicago's bullpen in time for Tuesday's clash.