Cubs sign RHP Felipe Paulino

The Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Felipe Paulino to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America.

Paulino last appeared in the major leagues on the south side of Chicago with the White Sox last season, making four starts and posting an 11.29 ERA in 18⅓ innings. He gave up 35 hits, walked a dozen and struck out 14.

Paulino spent spring training with the Red Sox, but was released at the end of March.

Paulino had his best seasons with Kansas City in 2011 and 2012. After a rough start to 2011 in Colorado, he caught on with the Royals and had an ERA of 3.55 in 162⅓ innings over 27 starts, allowing 154 hits and 63 walks while striking out 158.

Paulino has played in parts of six seasons in the majors, with a 5.22 career ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 403⅔ innings with 172 walks, 3.8 per nine innings, and 373 strikeouts, 8.3 per nine innings.

Where does Paulino fit in the Cubs' organization?

The Cubs have used just five starting pitchers all season, with Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel, Travis Wood and Kyle Hendricks each having made six starts in Chicago's 30 games.

At Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs currently have three starters that are on the 40-man roster in Tsuyoshi Wada, Eric Jokisch and Dallas Beeler, and Paulino would likely be behind all three of them in line for a big league call up.

He likely finds himself in competition with the likes of righties Donn Roach, who has a 2.17 ERA in 37⅓ innings over six starts with Iowa this season, and Carlos Pimentel, who has posted a 4.28 ERA in 27⅓ innings n Triple-A in 2015. Roach and Pimentel do both have the advantage of being 25 years old, a full six years younger than Paulino.