The Chicago Cubs have designated relief pitcher Scott Maine for assignment on Monday, as the team announced. The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Anthony Recker, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics earlier in the day.

Maine, 27, appeared in 41 games with the Cubs over the past three years. This season, he's split time between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa with mixed results. In the big leagues, he has a 4.79 ERA with big strikeout numbers in 20.2 innings, while he's got a 2.88 ERA and middling strikeout numbers in 34.1 minor league innings.

The Cubs originally acquired Maine in 2009 as part of the deal that sent Aaron Heilman to the Arizona Diamondbacks. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, the Cubs can either trade him, release him or option him to the minors.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.