The Chicago Cubs did not offer contracts to a trio of relievers for next season.

The Cubs nontendered right-handers Codi Heuer and Ethan Roberts and left-hander Brandon Hughes before Friday’s deadline, making them free agents. Roberts and Hughes were not yet arbitration-eligible.

Major injuries derailed each of the pitchers.

Roberts, 26, did not pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2022. He showed flashes of nasty stuff in nine appearances, his first big-league outings after making the 2022 team out of spring training.

Hughes required a surgical debridement of his left knee on June 28, causing him to miss the rest of the season. The 27-year-old lefty dealt with knee problems in the lead-up to surgery, limiting him to 13 2/3 innings. The Cubs had been expecting Hughes to key a key piece of their 2023 bullpen after a stellar rookie season that saw him post a 3.12 ERA with eight saves in 57 2/3 innings (57 games).

Heuer was on the verge of joining the Cubs bullpen after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2022 when he fractured his right elbow throwing a pitch during one of his final rehab outings with Triple-A Iowa in June. The procedure required screws and wires to put the lower end of his humerus in place, and the funny-bone nerve had to be moved to fix the fracture.

Heuer, 27, was estimated to be sidelined for 12 months between the four-month recovery for the fracture and a potential six-month rehab process with the most optimistic return targeting spring training.

Heuer was acquired with Nick Madrigal from the White Sox ahead of the 2021 trade deadline for closer Craig Kimbrel. In 25 games after joining the Cubs in 2021, Heuer recorded a 3.14 ERA, but he hasn’t pitch in a game since then.

The Cubs could try to re-sign any of the three to a minor-league deal.

In addition to tendering contracts their six arbitration-eligible players — Madrigal, right-handers Adbert Alzolay, Mark Leiter Jr. and Julian Merryweather, left-hander Justin Steele and outfielder Mike Tauchman — the Cubs agreed to terms on a 2024 contract with infielder Patrick Wisdom to avoid arbitration. Wisdom can play both corner infield spots and gives them a power bat that slugs lefties for bench depth if they don’t acquire upgrades at third base or first base in the offseason.

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Ryan Bischel has put up amazing numbers in the net for Notre Dame in nearly every place he has played over the past four-plus seasons. But even he admits there is something special about stopping pucks and winning games in his home state.

Before the Fighting Irish came to Minneapolis for a weekend series versus Minnesota, their coach reminded Bischel, who is from Medina, Minn., that the two games would likely be his final opportunities to win games at 3M Arena at Mariucci. On Friday, Bischel didn’t let that opportunity pass him by.

“It’s a ton of fun coming into this building, for sure,” said Bischel, who had 33 saves in Notre Dame’s 4-2 win over the Gophers on Friday in the opener of their Big Ten series. “The D did a good job of letting me see the puck and things are coming together offensively. It helps when we’re scoring goals.”

The graduate-student goalie, who was named the Big Ten’s first star of the week, helped Notre Dame come from behind to extend its unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2) with its first road win of the season.

“It’s a matter of everybody contributing, and I thought tonight, for the most part, everyone did,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said. “(Ryan) plays well no matter where we play.”

Notre Dame (7-3-2, 3-0-2) got goals from Drew Bavaro, Patrick Moynihan and Grant Silianoff along with Bischel’s heroics in the crease for its first win in Minneapolis since January 2021. Landon Slaggert added an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Rhett Pitlick and Jimmy Snuggerud scored for the Gophers (5-4-2, 1-3-1), who got 19 saves from goalie Justen Close but fell to 0-3-0 in home conference games this season.

“Until we mature as a team and accept the challenges that are in front of us, we put ourselves in these situations,” Gophers coach Bob Motzko said. “We were playing pretty well. In the second period, we had it going. Everyone in the building knew that except the guys on our bench because if they’re not scoring, they get frustrated.”

Renowned for having one of the best penalty-kill units in the nation, Notre Dame got a stiff test early on when consecutive penalties on the Irish gave Minnesota 99 seconds of a 5-on-3 power play. The Gophers managed two shots and hit two pipes, but stayed off the scoreboard.

“For me it’s kind of nice. Facing some shots early gets you into the game,” Bischel said. “I think that was a good test for us right off the bat and gave us some momentum at the start of the game.”

The teams traded goals in the latter half of the first, with Pitlick popping in the rebound after Bischel stopped Bryce Brodzinski’s initial shot, and the Irish answering when Silianoff chipped a puck past Close following a backhand pass by Brennan Ali.

They traded goals again in the middle frame, with Moynihan scoring on the first shot of the period, stealing a puck from Ryan Chesley behind the net and beating Close with a wraparound. Then Notre Dame did what it does best for 15 minutes or so, playing stifling defense and letting Bischel cook. Minnesota put 17 shots on the Irish net, but needed a seeing-eye, power-play shot by Snuggerud — his team-leading eighth goal of the season — to get back to even.

“That wasn’t only good for our power play, it was good for (Jimmy),” said Brodzinski, who assisted on both Minnesota goals. “We talk about him slow scoring and he’s got eight goals already, so it’s always good to get him going again.”

Bavaro corralled a bouncing puck early in the third and popped it past the Minnesota goalie with a low shot to give Notre Dame its second, and final, lead.

“We made a mistake and then Notre Dame locked it down,” Motzko said.

Extra pucks

One of the biggest ovations of the night came when legendary Gophers forward John Mayasich, who remains the only player in a century of hockey at the U of M to have his number retired, was introduced to the crowd. Mayasich, 90, is a 1960 US Olympic gold medalist and flew with the Gophers on their team charter to the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.

Minnesota survived a second period scare when co-captain Mike Koster was dumped hard into the corner and made his way off the rink favoring his left leg. Koster, who missed the first month of the season with a lower body injury, returned to the game only to be flattened by a Notre Dame cross check, for which the Irish were penalized.

The weekend series concludes with a rematch between the Gophers and Irish on Saturday evening. The opening faceoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT.

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UPDATE: 10:17 p.m. Friday

Many fantasy mavens were shaken Thursday night when two top players saw their seasons come to a sudden end.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) and Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) are finished for 2023. Sharp fantasy players will move immediately to find waiver replacements and not wait for next week’s pickups. This would also be a good time to pick at the carcasses of rival teams that may have given up on the season.

There’s some news regarding running backs. Houston’s Dameon Pierce is out again, so Devin Singletary is definitely worth grabbing if you can. And Miami rookie sensation De’Von Achane is expected to return this week and could be running at full speed through the Las Vegas defense.

ORIGINAL POST: 11:59 a.m. Wednesday

It’s often been said that fantasy football bears only the faintest resemblance to actual football, and that success in one does not necessarily mean certain success in the other.

Case in point: Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.

As far as REAL football goes, the Bills’ QB has been a tremendous disappointment this season. Ball security? Allen’s three turnovers proved fatal Monday night in the Bills’ shocking loss to Denver, and the former first-round draft pick leads the league with 11 interceptions.

But fantasy-wise, Allen is still a god. He’s the top scoring NFL quarterback with 19 touchdown passes, seven rushing TDs and 2,600 passing yards. So Allen’s struggles this season have been much more painful for Bills Mafia than the Fantasy Mafia that drafted him in the first two rounds of most drafts.

The statistics haven’t been as forgiving for the following players, who make up our list of the first half’s biggest fantasy non-factors:

Deshaun Watson (Browns QB) – There’s no way to massage this: Watson is a shell of his old self. He threw for only seven touchdowns and ran for only one in the season’s first half. And he won’t have a second half as he’s set to have season-ending shoulder surgery. But the Cleveland offense actually has looked better behind P.J. Walker, anyway.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

Saquon Barkley (Giants RB) – No one has suffered more behind the Giants’ motley offensive line. Barkley has 568 rushing yards but only one rushing touchdown in this disastrous season. Not the first-round back many hoped he would be again.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants wrestles for the ball against Rashaan Evans #32 of the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Tony Pollard (Cowboys RB) – Ezekiel Elliott’s former understudy has hardly shined in his absence. Pollard hasn’t reached the end zone since scoring twice in the opener and has but a single week where he has topped 72 rushing yards.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12: Tony Pollard #20 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Jason Pinnock #27 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Najee Harris (Steelers RB) – The former Alabama standout isn’t even the top back in the Steel City, lagging behind Jaylen Warren. But Harris is possibly starting to heat up with three touchdowns in his past four games.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 22: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Davante Adams (Raiders WR) – His season hit rock bottom when his hopes for a trade out of Vegas were dashed. The perennial top-five receiver has a mere three TDs this season and but a single game where has topped 86 yards.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after making a catch during the 2nd quarter of the game against the New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Darren Waller (Giants TE) – The overly-hyped tight end has only one TD, not a single triple-digit game and is not likely to do any better with Tommy Devtto at the helm. It says something that Waller has underperformed Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 22: Darren Waller #12 of the New York Giants is tackled by Jartavius Martin #20, Jamin Davis #52 and Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Commanders in the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Jason Sanders (Dolphins K) – Miami’s offense has produced so many touchdowns that its kicker has suffered. Sanders has only four field goals since the opener and is a sad 30th in the league in scoring among kickers.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 29: Jason Sanders #7 of the Miami Dolphins kicks an extra point during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

San Fran’s defense will shut down Tampa Bay RB Rachaad White vs 49ers. … We think Chicago’s passing game may struggle against Detroit, so think twice before starting WR D.J. Moore or TE Cole Kmet. … Dallas’ defense will keep Carolina WR Adam Thielen in check. … Atlanta WR Calvin Ridley won’t get untracked against Tennessee. … Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow may have a tough time in their showdown against the Ravens. … We don’t like ANY Steelers offensive players against Cleveland. … And Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is the only pass catcher we would trust against Philly.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 12: Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs while scoring a receiving touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Miami, after a week off, should be able to run freely against the Raiders, whether it’s Raheem Mostert or a returning De’Von Achane. … The Chargers’ Austin Ekeler will also run through the Packers. … Washington RB Brian Robinson will continue his strong play vs. the Giants. … As will Baltimore’s Keaton Mitchell against the Bengals. … Detroit WR Amon-Ra St Brown will post great numbers against Chicago. … Carolina’s focus on stopping CeeDee Lamb will mean another big game for WR Brandin Cooks. … The Eagles’ big-play guy in their Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs may very well be WR Devonta Smith. … And we expect more great rushing numbers from two quarterbacks: Arizona’s Kyler Murray vs. Houston and the Vikings’ own Josh Dobbs in Denver.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 12: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Kerby Joseph #31 of the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Injury watch

The Vikings will likely be without WR Justin Jefferson again this week, and RB Alexander Mattison is in the concussion protocol. So Ty Chandler could get his first start in purple.  … New Orleans QB Derek Carr left last Sunday’s game early but is expected to be ready this week. …. Chicago QB Justin Fields is also a decent bet to return. … But don’t count on WR Tee Higgins returning for the Bengals on a short week. … Houston RB Dameon Pierce will be out again, so we’ll see more of Devin Singletary. … Players listed as questionable include Chargers WR Keenan Allen, Miami wideout Jaylen Waddle, Chargers TE Gerald Everett and Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 12: Alexander Mattison #2 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The deepest sleeper

Noah Brown didn’t do much in his five seasons as a reserve wide receiver with the Dallas Cowboys. And he began this month with eight catches for about 100 yards for Houston. But these past two weeks he has been something. Thanks to the rapid maturation of quarterback C.J. Stroud, and a calf injury suffered by starter Nico Collins, Brown has exploded with 13 catches for 325 yards and a touchdown. And with Arizona’s non-descript defense ahead this week, Brown can do even more damage, provided he’s still in the lineup. If Collins returns, the Unsinkable Noah Brown could quickly go back to obscurity.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: Noah Brown #85 of the Houston Texans loses his helmet after a tackle by Chidobe Awuzie #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Thursday pick

Bengals at Ravens (-3½):

Pick: Ravens by 7.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 17: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals is sacked by Jadeveon Clowney #24 of the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Breaking news

We’ll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday’s kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.

<em>You can hear <a href=”http://www.twincities.com/author/kevin-cusick/” target=”_blank”>Kevin Cusick</a> on Wednesdays on <a href=”http://bsblog.com/podcasts” target=”_blank”>Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast</a> on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on <a href=”http://twitter.com/theloopnow’” target=”_blank”>Twitter — @theloopnow</a>. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.</em>

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Jake Eder joined the Chicago White Sox organization in a 2023 trade deadline deal that sent infielder Jake Burger to the Miami Marlins.

Cristian Mena ranked among the minor-league leaders in strikeouts.

The Sox added both pitching prospects to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Tuesday was the deadline for teams to add to their 40-man rosters and protect eligible players from the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 6.

Eder, 24, went 0-3 with an 11.42 ERA in five starts at Double-A Birmingham after being acquired in the Aug. 1 trade. He had 22 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.

Overall in 2023, the left-hander had a combined 2-6 record with a 6.35 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 14 starts between Class A Jupiter and Double-A Pensacola in the Marlins organization and with the Barons.

Eder also made six appearances (five starts) with the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League, going 1-1 with a 6.11 ERA. He struck out 16 batters in 17 2/3 innings.

Eder was originally selected by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2020 draft out of Vanderbilt and is 5-11 with a 3.80 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 29 starts during two minor-league seasons. He missed all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

He is the No. 5 prospect in the Sox organization, according to MLB.com.

Mena, 20, is ranked the No. 10 prospect in the Sox system by MLB.com. The right-hander went a combined 8-7 with a 4.85 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 27 starts between Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte in 2023.

He was 7-6 with a 4.66 ERA in 23 starts for the Barons and 1-1 with a 5.95 ERA in four starts for the Knights.

Mena finished 15th among all minor-league pitchers in strikeouts. He ranked first among the Sox organizational leaders in strikeouts and innings (133 2/3), tied for first in starts and tied for second in victories.

Originally signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2019, Mena is 11-17 with a 4.97 ERA and 344 strikeouts in 64 career games (63 starts) during three minor-league seasons in the Sox organization.

With Tuesday’s moves, the Sox 40-man roster increases to 37.

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