Cubs Trade Duane Underwood Jr. to Pirates for Minor League 1B Shendrik Apostel

The Cubs announced Sunday that they have acquired minor league first baseman Shendrik Apostel from the Pirates for right-handed pitcher Duane Underwood Jr.

The 20-year-old Apostel was signed by the Pirates out of Curaçao in July of 2017 and has played 68 games in the Dominican Summer League spanning the 2018-19 campaigns. A 6-foot-5 right-handed hitter, he batted .252 with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 45 RBI over that span.

Apostel’s brother, Sherten, made his major league debut with Texas last season.

Underwood was designated for assignment on March 2 in order to make room on the roster for Ryan Tepera. The 26-year-old righty was 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 30 games for Cubs in parts of three seasons from 2018-20.