BOSTON -- The Cubs claimed right-hander Chandler Shepherd off waivers from the Red Sox on Saturday.

Shepherd was designated for assignment Friday to open up a 40-man roster spot for catcher Oscar Hernandez. Hernandez was added to the active roster when Sandy Leon went on paternity leave.

Shepherd, 26, was a 13th-round pick in 2014 and never cracked the majors for the Red Sox. The righty posted a serviceable 3.89 ERA and 7.4 K/9 in 25 starts for the PawSox last year but struggled to a 10.01 ERA while giving up 53 hits and 11 homers in 29 2/3 innings this year.

Shepherd was in major-league camp with the Red Sox and was ranked by SoxProspects.com as the 58th-best prospect in Boston’s system. He’ll join the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate in Tennessee.

Shepherd spent six years in the system, posting a 4.09 ERA in 158 games (35 starts).