What It Means:

The Cubs want to get a fair look at the 41-year-old ahead of the trade deadline. "If the answer is in-house, it makes it a lot easier," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "It's important to get a look." Nathan has twirled a 2.00 ERA and 30.00 strikeout percentage across nine innings as he attempts to rehab from Tommy John surgery, including back-to-back outings over the weekend.

Nathan pitched just 1/3 of an inning in 2015. The season before, he threw 58 innings to the tune of a 4.14 xFIP. His 20.85 strikeout percentage that season was just above 2015's league average of 20.40 percent, and well below his career average of 25.83 percent. There's no guarantee Nathan returns to his old form.