Mervis, who had a strong spring training for the Cubs last March, will battle for at-bats at first base, where Jonah Bride (.276, 11 homers, 39 RBI in 71 games) is the projected starter, and potentially at designated hitter. In the minors, Mervis played 331 games at first base, one at third and one in the outfield.

The Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs swung a trade on Sunday, with the Marlins acquiring former first base prospect Matt Mervis in exchange for infielder Vidal Brujan. The Marlins had recently designated Brujan for assignment.