Pedro Strop on returning to the Cubs this spring: ‘This is my home’

MESA, Ariz. — There’s one thing you can guarantee when right-hander Pedro Strop is around. He’s going to be in a good mood and by just having him around, other people also will be in a good mood. Strop has been in Cubs’ camp for less than a week and his presence already has been felt around the organization.

The 35-year-old right-hander, who signed a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training on Saturday, is happy to be around his old teammates again after being away from them for a season.

“It’s always fun when you go home,” Strop said. “That’s what I consider the Cubs. This is my home. This is my house and to come over and see my guys, my teammates and the staff, I’m just so happy to be back here.

“It feels good when you know that your teammates, your boys miss you. That means a lot to me. That means whatever I was doing, I was doing it right. I was being a good teammate, a good brother. I was happy to hear that. At the same time, I was a little sad and it was a little weird for me to go to a different side and see my boys from the other side.”

It wasn’t smooth sailing for Strop after his successful seven-year run with the Cubs. After signing with the Reds in 2020, he was designated for assignment in August. He returned to the Cubs on a minor-league deal last season and worked at the alternate site before being shut down because of injury.

Strop said Wednesday that he had similar minor-league deals on the table from other teams, but the chance to come home to pitch again for the Cubs was a no-brainer.

“He’s like a ray of sunshine in camp,” president Jed Hoyer said. “That guy’s never had a bad day and he lifts everyone else up and it’s fun to have him around.”

While being back with his old teammates has been fun, Strop still thinks he can contribute in the Cubs’ bullpen this season. Health will be a big part of him doing that after he sustained injuries the last few seasons.

Strop has dropped 25 pounds since the offseason and feels that will help him prevent injuries and ease the wear-and-tear on his legs.

“Right now, I’m 100% and I’m so happy where I’m at right now,” Strop said. “I don’t have any issues at all. I’m not even going to the training room to do anything. I’m just going through my stuff, working out, a lot of stretching. That’s stuff that I’m adding now that I’m getting a little older.’’

Sogard signs minor-league deal

The Cubs signed infielder Eric Sogard to a minor-league deal, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical.

Sogard, 34, provides the Cubs with some additional flexibility with his ability to play all four infield spots and provide a left-handed bat off the bench.

The 34-year-old infielder has a career .209/.281/.278 slash line and hit .209 with a homer and 10 RBI in 43 games with the Brewers last season.