The Cubs made some roster changes on Friday ahead of their series against the Marlins in Miami.

In addition to promoting infielder Luis Vázquez from Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs have also designated for assignment veteran infielder David Bote.

(MORE: ‘It’s worth the effort’: From humble beginnings to Wrigley Field, it’s been an emotional journey for Cubs’ Luis Vázquez)

The Bote move made room on the 40-man roster for new waiver claimer Gavin Hollowell, a right-handed pitcher who was later sent to Triple-A Iowa. Bote could return to the team if he gets through the waiver list and accepts a move to the minor leagues, or he could become a free agent and sign with another organization.

Bote was one of the Cubs’ longest-tenured players over the past 13 years, being selected by the team in the 18th round of the 2012 draft.

(WATCH: Craig Counsell explains the Cubs’ recent roster changes)

In 2019, Bote signed a contract extension with the Cubs that paid him a total of $15 million and kept him under team control through the 2026 season (with two team options for 2025-26). The Cubs did not want to exercise the options after that season, so he was set to become a free agent at the end of the year.

The 31-year-old Bote burst onto the scene as a late-round pick in 2018 and has been a major success story for the organization’s player development, establishing himself as a valuable role player in the major leagues.

He was a reliable replacement for Kris Bryant when Bryant was injured in 2018 and also provided one of the most memorable moments in recent Cubs history with the ultimate grand slam in August 2018 against the Nationals.

Bote served the team as a solid backup and occasional starter through the 2022 season, but spent all of last year in the minor leagues. He began 2024 in Triple-A, but was recalled in June to provide another right-handed option off the bench.

He hasn’t played much, making just 48 at-bats in the last 3 months. The Cubs have rarely played left-handed starting pitchers – especially recently – so Bote hasn’t appeared in the lineup much.

Craig Counsell admitted that Bote’s role changed a bit when the Cubs traded Christopher Morel for Isaac Paredes. Bote had spent some time playing third base as a starter or defensive replacement, as the Cubs used Morel more as a designated hitter. But with Paredes in the fold, he has played every day and is not used on defense.

“He was grateful for the opportunity after a couple of years in the minor leagues,” Craig Counsell told reporters before Friday’s game in Miami. “The trade at the deadline actually changed his role. He had carved out a small role for himself and was doing it well, and after the trade, the at-bats just disappeared. And that was also a reason for the move.”

Hollowell is a 26-year-old pitcher with some MLB experience (32 games), but he has an ERA of 6.20 in those 40.2 innings.

He began his career with the Rockies, where he was selected in the 6th round in 2019. The Diamondbacks claimed him off waivers in June and he delivered a solid performance in 18 appearances for the Triple-A affiliate team from Arizona (3.63 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 24 strikeouts in 17.1 innings).

“He’s an optional reliever,” Counsell said. “There are some ingredients we like, some things we think we can help him with. I think we’ll have to get him on board and see that, but he’s going to Iowa. And that’s where he’ll start.”