Report: Cubs In Talks With Free-Agent P Jeff Francis

The Chicago Cubs have had talks with free-agent starting pitcher Jeff Francis, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

Francis, 30, has struggled to return from an injury that forced him to miss the entirety of the 2009 season. In 2010, the left-hander posted a 4-6 record with a 5.00 ERA in 19 starts with the Colorado Rockies. Last season he posted a 6-16 record with a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts for the Kansas City Royals.

Prior to his 2008 injury, Francis was considered one of the more promising young pitchers in the game. In 2007 he posted a 17-9 record with a 4.22 ERA for the Rockies, and finished ninth in the National League Cy Young award voting.