Aug 17, 2026, 10:09 PM ET

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (finger) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to a blister on his right middle finger, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Cabrera just made it back from the injured list on Sunday after missing nearly two months due to a hamstring injury. However, he allowed seven earned runs across 3 2/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in his first start back and is now set to miss additional time. Cabrera has had a rough first year in Chicago, recording a 5-5 record with a 5.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts across 76 innings (15 starts). While the 28-year-old should make it back from the injured list shortly after he is first eligible, Cabrera needs to put together a stretch of healthy and productive starts before fantasy managers can rely on him.--Will Brady
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor

Aug 14, 2026, 1:29 PM ET

Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Sunday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, manager Craig Counsell told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Cabrera will return to Chicago's rotation for the first time since suffering a strained hamstring in late June. Although he struck out 15 and walked just one batter in his nine innings over three minor-league rehab starts, fantasy managers have every right to be hesitant to trust the 28-year-old Dominican hurler now that he's on the verge of returning to the big leagues. Cabrera has been inconsistent in 2026 in his first year with the Cubbies, going 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA (5.04 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 29 walks in 72 1/3 frames over his 14 starts. He only threw 65 pitches in his last rehab outing, too, so we'd recommend avoiding him in his first start back this Sunday versus St. Louis. With Cabrera returning, left-hander David Peterson is now a candidate to shift back to the bullpen.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney

Aug 10, 2026, 5:09 PM ET

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is looking for results at Triple-A Iowa and was saddled with a tough loss on Tuesday with five earned runs and six walks in 2 2/3 innings. Wiggins has had a tough time all season dealing with right elbow inflammation, and it has caused some inconsistency issues for the right-hander. At 24 years of age, Wiggins is knocking on the door for a major league debut, but this year might be tricky for him as he has dealt with the injury and hasn't seen the dynamic results he is used to seeing. He is getting back in the mix though at Triple-A and is gaining valuable Innings. It might be best, however, to leave him off the stash radar as he works his way back and gains more confidence with his right throwing arm. Right now, he is best left on waiver wires in redraft leagues with an eye toward dynasty leagues.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 8, 2026, 11:16 AM ET

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins struggled in his latest start, giving up five runs in 2 2/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. In his last five starts with Iowa, Wiggins has given up at least three earned runs in each start. Wiggins has been dealing with right elbow inflammation and it caused him to miss about two months of this season. The 24-year-old is the Cubs No. 5 overall prospect and has a 60-grade fastball with a 55-grade slider and a 50-grade changeup. Wiggins has struggled this season coming back from his elbow inflammation and is having a bit of a tough go lately with Iowa. Wiggins has major league stuff but he is looking to get into a rhythm after missing so much time. In Triple-A at age 24, it's a good sign for Wiggins and the Cubs, but he might need more time in the minors before he makes his MLB debut.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 6, 2026, 10:57 AM ET

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is coming off a start in which he allowed five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings and has struggled since coming off the injured list at Triple-A Iowa on July 10. He's 0-3 in five starts with Iowa since returning from right elbow inflammation. It's been a bit of a lost year for the 24-year-old with the injury, but he is still ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect in the Cubs' system. He boasts a 60-grade fastball with a 55-grade slider and 50-grade changeup. With Iowa this season, Wiggins has 28 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched, which is a good sign. The Cubs 5-man rotation is set right now at the big league level, but Wiggins could be counted on for some depth if they look to give him his major league debut. But right now it would be best to keep Wiggins on the waiver wire unless an injury occurs to one of the Cubs' starters.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 5, 2026, 2:02 PM ET

Right-hander Kevin Gausman's debut with the Chicago Cubs is expected to come in Friday's series opener in Kansas City against the Royals, according to The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro. Both Gausman and right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) will make their debuts with the team this weekend after both were acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline. The 35-year-old Gausman comes to the National League Central with a 5-10 record, 4.38 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 127 strikeouts and 36 walks in 127 1/3 innings pitched across 23 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays in his 14th season in the majors. He hasn't been as sharp since the beginning of July, going 1-3 with a 5.13 ERA (2.41 FIP), 12 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings pitched over five starts, but Chicago is hoping Gausman's solid underlying metrics will help him finish strong down the stretch. The two-time All-Star doesn't have a ton of strikeout upside (23.5% K rate), but he has strong command still and has a hard-hit rate below 40%. Fantasy managers should keep Gausman in their starting lineups this weekend against the Royals.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro

Aug 5, 2026, 1:53 PM ET

The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro expects newly acquired right-hander Clay Holmes' (leg) next start to be his debut with the Chicago Cubs, not another minor-league rehab outing. Based on the current alignment of Chicago's starting rotation, Holmes will most likely start on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals on the road. The Cubs will be activating the 33-year-old veteran from the 60-day injured list, and Saturday will be his first start since fracturing his fibula against the New York Yankees on May 15. He made three rehab starts in the minors with the New York Mets before they traded him to the Cubs on Monday, so Holmes should be efficiently stretched out. The Cubs are hoping Holmes is a key part of their rotation the rest of the way as they look to get into the postseason, and fantasy managers looking for rotation depth should look his way, as he's only rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues. The former ninth-rounder in 2011 by the Pittsburgh Pirates went 4-4 in New York earlier this year with a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 52 2/3 frames over his nine starts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro

Aug 4, 2026, 11:38 AM ET

The New York Mets shipped right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) to the Chicago Cubs at Monday's trade deadline, even though he's still on the 60-day injured list with a fractured fibula that he suffered when he was hit by a comebacker on May 15 against his former team, the New York Yankees. It's a bit unclear what Holmes' role will be with his new club when he's reinstated from the IL, but either way, he could be a meaningful role player in fantasy leagues. The 33-year-old veteran made his third minor-league rehab start on Sunday with High-A Brooklyn, throwing 5 1/3 innings and 73 pitches, so it appears he's on the verge of joining Chicago's major-league roster. Holmes will have more fantasy appeal if he joins the Cubbies' starting rotation, but he does have experience as a high-leverage reliever as well, saving 74 games for the Yankees from 2022 to 2024. Before his fibula injury with the Mets, Holmes went 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 2/3 frames across nine starts. Fantasy managers who have room on their roster and need pitching depth should consider picking Holmes up. He's rostered in only 35% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Aug 3, 2026, 7:22 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets on Monday in exchange for infielder Jefferson Rojas, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Holmes becomes the third starting pitcher that the Cubbies acquired at this year's trade deadline, joining veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman and lefty Braxton Garrett. The 33-year-old Holmes is still on the 60-day injured list after fracturing his fibula earlier this season, but he could help bolster Chicago's rotation down the stretch, and he could make his Cubs debut sooner rather than later after making his third minor-league rehab start with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs feel that Holmes will be better off working in a relief role (he has plenty of experience doing that), with right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) also nearing his return from the IL. It's hard to gauge Holmes' rest-of-season fantasy outlook because we don't know exactly what his role will be upon joining his new club. Before injuring his leg earlier this year, the two-time All-Star had a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45:18 K:BB in just nine starts, but the underlying metrics pointed to eventual regression. Taylor, who will be a free agent after the season, will be a platoon bat in Chicago against lefties after sporting a .900 OPS against southpaws with the Mets in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 3:45 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring left-hander Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins on Monday, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. It is unclear what the Cubs are sending to the Marlins in return. The Cubs have made another move to bolster their pitching staff for the stretch run after acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday evening. The 28-year-old Garrett was called up from the minors earlier this year by the Marlins, but he allowed seven earned runs with eight walks and five strikeouts in just 4 1/3 innings over his two starts before being demoted back to Triple-A Jacksonville. Garrett will most likely begin his tenure with the Cubs at Triple-A Iowa before potentially becoming an option for their starting rotation if he shows them enough in the minors. Remember, Garrett is in his first year removed from an internal-brace surgery on his left elbow. In 16 outings (15 starts) with the Jumbo Shrimp on the farm this year, he went 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 83:29 K:BB in 77 2/3 frames, giving hope to Cubs fans that he can eventually reach his ceiling in Chicago as a former first-round selection (seventh overall) in 2016.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 2, 2026, 9:18 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman was traded to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in exchange for minor-league infielder Ty Southisene and outfielder Brett Bateman, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Gausman has taken a slight step back this season following a strong 2025 campaign, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 23 starts. Even so, the 35-year-old still provides an experienced presence in the middle of a playoff rotation and owns a career 3.85 ERA behind one of baseball's best splitters. Gausman is also coming off a strong outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the Cubs continue to strengthen their rotation for the stretch run.--Julian Brooke
Source: Ken Rosenthal

Aug 1, 2026, 2:06 PM ET

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) is set to take a significant step forward in his recovery on Saturday, as he plans to complete a light workout before throwing approximately 20 pitches from flat ground. The 31-year-old has been sidelined for the entire season while recovering from UCL revision surgery, although he did experience a setback during his rehab. Still, he has progressed from throwing plyometric balls as recently as last month to now preparing to throw from flat ground, making this an important milestone in his recovery. Given his current stage of rehab, the amount of work he still has ahead of him, and the limited time remaining in the season, the clock is ticking on his chances of returning in time to make any meaningful fantasy impact. In fact, there is a possibility that he returns as a reliever rather than a starter, which would further diminish his fantasy relevance. That said, a return in any capacity before the end of the season would be a significant development for Steele as he heads into the postseason and the offseason, making him an intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com

Jul 29, 2026, 5:35 PM ET

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga is no longer listed as the team's probable starter for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Right-hander Javier Assad will now get the nod. Montemurro speculates that nothing is wrong with Imanaga physically, but the Cubs are pushing him back to Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the New York Yankees to have him take Jameson Taillon's spot. The 32-year-old Japanese native will get a little extra rest, but he'll also get a downgrade in matchup against the Yanks. In his third MLB season with the Cubbies, Imanaga has gone 7-8 with a 3.72 ERA (4.40 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 113 strikeouts and 29 walks in 121 innings pitched across his 21 starts. Imanaga has been pretty lights-out in his last five starts (29 innings), allowing only five earned runs (1.55 ERA) while walking six and striking out 25. The Yankees rank second in baseball in home runs, but they also have the fifth-most strikeouts, making Imanaga a risk-reward fantasy starter this weekend.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro

Jul 26, 2026, 9:20 AM ET

Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins recently returned to Triple-A Iowa following a lengthy stint on the injured list but has not had the most productive return to action. Wiggins was cleared to return to Iowa on July 10 but has yet to turn in a successful outing. Over his last three starts (7 2/3 innings of work), Wiggins has allowed a hefty 11 runs while posting a 9:11 K:BB. While this recent skid has put a late-season MLB debut in question, he enjoyed an impressive run in the minor leagues last summer, which keeps the door open. During the 2025 season, Wiggins logged 78 innings across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A to the tune of a 2.19 ERA and a sharp 1.03 WHIP. While he is not a high-end stash target, he is worth monitoring, as a late-season promotion could still be in play.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com