#Desperate Padres turning to Jake Arrieta after Cubs release

The Padres are desperately trying to fix their ailing pitching staff.

San Diego is nearing a deal with pitcher Jake Arrieta, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Arrieta was released by the Cubs last week after struggling to a 6.88 ERA in 20 starts this season, which would be the worst mark of his career.

The 35-year-old’s ERA has increased every season season since winning the NL Cy Young award in 2015.

He looked particularly ineffective over his last several starts with Chicago, allowing 21 earned runs over his final four starts with the team.

But the Padres are getting desperate for warm bodies on the mound. Already without Mike Clevinger for the season, ace Yu Darvish landed on the injured list last week, joining fellow starters Dinelson Lamet and Chris Paddack. Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove are the Padres’ only healthy starters at the moment, and Snell has struggled somewhat in his first year in San Diego with a 4.80 ERA.

Meanwhile, their division rival Dodgers beefed up their already strong staff by adding Max Scherzer – who the Padres were reportedly in on as well — at the deadline.

It remains to be seen whether Arrieta would be an upgrade over anyone the Padres could call up from the minor leagues.