Report: Carlos Silva likely to be moved to bullpen or released

FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the end could be near for Carlos Silva — either in the Cubs’ starting rotation or as a member of the team.

“Trade interest in #Cubs’ Silva did NOT pick up even after strong last outing. Likely will be in ‘pen or released,” Rosenthal tweeted on Friday.

The outing Rosenthal referred to came on Wednesday when Silva allowed a run on three hits in six innings. He retired 17 of 18 hitters after giving up a leadoff single and an RBI double in the first inning.

Silva entered that game with a 15.88 ERA, having allowed 20 earned runs in his previous 11 1-3 innings.

The Mariners sent Silva and $9 million to Chicago last offseason for Milton Bradley, a trade that based on last season’s results seemed to favor the Cubs. Silva’s numbers weren’t great; he tailed off after a hot start and finished the season with a 10-6 record and a 4.22 ERA. But Bradley hit just .205 in a season that was cut short by a knee injury.

Bradley is hitting .324 this spring and his been called the favorite by general manager Jack Zduriencik to be the Mariners’ starting left fielder.

The Mariners and Cubs play Friday at 1:05 in Mesa, Ariz.