The San Diego Padres, desperate for starting pitching while battling for the playoffs, signed former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta to a minor league contract Monday for the rest of the season.

Arrieta, released last week from the Chicago Cubs, is scheduled to be added to the a26-man roster and start Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

The Padres, who failed to acquire a starter at the trade deadline, are two men down with Yu Darvish (back) and Chris Paddack (oblique) going on the injured list.

Arrieta, who won the 2015 National League Cy Young award, badly struggled in his return with the Cubs this season. He yielded a 6.88 ERA in 86 ⅓ innings, including eight runs in four innings in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers. He has yet to last past six innings in his last 13 starts, and went four or fewer innings in his past five starts.

The Padres hold the second wild card spot, but are now only 2 ½ games ahead o the Cincinnati Reds.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jake Arrieta, former NL Cy Young winner, signs with Padres