MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs pitchers Brooks Raley and Brett Marshall have been picked up off of waivers by the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds, respectively, the team announced on Tuesday.

Both players were on the 40-man roster so their losses pave the way for the Cubs to sign pitchers Jason Hammel and James McDonald. Both have been rumored to be joining the Cubs for some time.

Raley, 25, was 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA in parts of two seasons with the Cubs while Marshall moves on after the Cubs claimed him in December.

Hammel and McDonald are expected to be with the Cubs when spring training workouts begin on Friday.