Duane Underwood Jr.

Underwood was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Alan C. Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia.[1][2] He had committed to play college baseball for the Georgia Bulldogs,[3] but instead signed with the Cubs, making his professional debut that same year with the Arizona League Cubs. He spent 2013 with the Boise Hawks and 2014 with the Kane County Cougars.[4] For 2015, Underwood was promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he posted a 2.58 ERA in 73.1 innings. Underwood spent 2016 with the Tennessee Smokies, South Bend Cubs, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, where he posted an 0–6 record with a 4.32 ERA.[5] After the season, Underwood played for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League and was added to the Cubs 40-man roster.[6][7] He spent 2017 with the Tennessee Smokies where he went 13–7 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 25 games.[8]

Underwood started the 2018 season with the Iowa Cubs. On June 25, 2018, Underwood was promoted to MLB and made his first start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.[9] He was optioned back to Iowa after the game, and spent the remainder of the year in Iowa. He returned to Iowa to begin 2019. He returned to the Chicago Cubs in 2019 and struck out all 6 batters he faced in his first appearance on August 6. Underwood appeared in 17 games for the Cubs in 2020 and pitched to a 5.66 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched.[10]

On March 2, 2021, Underwood was designated for assignment after the signing of Ryan Tepera was made official.[11]

On March 7, 2021, Underwood was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Shendrik Apostel.[12] On September 6, Underwood was placed on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.[13]