The Chicago Cubs have claimed right-hander Carlos Gutierrez off of waivers from the Minnesota Twins, reports Carrie Muskat of MLB.com:

#Cubs claim RHP Carlos Gutierrez off waivers from #Twins. C Anthony Recker DFA

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) October 24, 2012

The 26-year-old Gutierrez, a first round pick by the Twins in the 2008 draft, has yet to make his major-league debut. He has racked up one hundred thirty-six appearances across five minor-league seasons -- mostly in relief -- but has not had much success above Single-A ball.

Gutierrez has spent most of the last three seasons at the Twins' Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, where he owns a 4.59 ERA and 9.1 K/9 in eighty-two and a third innings. The right-hander's 2012 season ended after just ten appearances because of a shoulder injury that required surgery in July. Gutierrez resumed throwing earlier this month and is expected to be at full strength come spring.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Gutierrez, the Cubs designated catcher Anthony Recker for assignment. Recker had been claimed off waivers from the Orioles in late August.