RADIO
Jacob Webb Remains the Closer to Roster in Chicago
Across 43 1/3 innings (44 games) in 2026, Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb has recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.91 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 50 strikeouts, and five saves. The 32-year-old has begun to emerge as Chicago's preferred ninth-inning option in July, logging three saves across seven outings so far this month. Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) is expected to return from his current elbow injury in mid-August, so Webb's fantasy value as a source of saves could be relatively short-lived. Still, he's performed well in the role so far, and his 27% strikeout rate backs up his strong results. For fantasy managers in need of a short-term saves solution, Webb profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaxon Wiggins Takes a Step Back, Fading From Stash Radar
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins took a step back in his latest start at Triple-A Iowa, allowing five earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings pitched. The damage was mostly self-inflicted, though, as the right-hander conceded five walks in the short outing compared to only two hits, although one of those was a home run. The Cubs' top pitching prospect owns a 7:8 K:BB in his two starts since coming off the injured list, spending much of the season there with elbow inflammation. The Cubs' beleaguered rotation could use some reinforcements, but this performance will likely delay any chance that Wiggins was going to satisfy that need. Also, the 6-foot-6 hurler has yet to surpass 70 pitches in either of his two starts since returning from the IL, so the pitch count still needs to be built up before a potential debut. If the 24-year-old can right the ship in a hurry, he could become a solid stash option ahead of a possible call-up, but for now, he's best left to the wire in most leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jaxon Wiggins Struggling Since Returning to Triple-A
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins has had an abbreviated 2026 season as he has dealt with injuries. Wiggins started the season with two four-inning outings at Triple-A Iowa before dealing with right elbow inflammation. Between the ACL Cubs and the South Bend Cubs, Wiggins completed four rehab starts before he was activated again by the Iowa Cubs on July 10 for two more starts. In his most recent starts for Iowa, Wiggins allowed a total of eight earned runs in 5 innings pitched. Wiggins has struggled a bit this year, but he has a ton of prospect pedigree as the Cubs' second-round draft pick out of Arkansas. For fantasy purposes, however, it might be best to wait until next year when Wiggins is fully healthy before acquiring his services. This year, it might be smart to leave him on the waiver wire as he works out his health issues and growing pains at Triple-A.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Daniel Palencia Could be Looking at a Mid-August Return
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that right-handed reliever Daniel Palencia's (elbow) timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list is unclear, but he speculated that it could come in the middle of August, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. It's not exactly what fantasy managers who have been stashing Palencia want to hear. He's currently rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs a right-elbow injury. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler presumably will return as the Cubs' primary closer when he's healthy, but he might not have much of a runway to close out the year and return much fantasy value. Before his elbow injury landed him on the IL, Palencia was 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA (3.46 FIP), 1.38 WHIP, three saves, 19 strikeouts, and just six walks across his 16 2/3 frames. The Cubs' late-inning saves picture has turned into a committee situation going into the second half of the season involving Jacob Webb, Trent Thornton, and Caleb Thielbar.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Edward Cabrera Could Return in Second Week of August
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) could return from the 15-day injured list in the second week of August, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The Cubs placed Cabrera on the IL on June 24 with a strained left hamstring, but he resumed a throwing program a week before the All-Star break. It remains to be seen if Chicago will require him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the big-league starting rotation, but if he does, it might just be one start on the farm. The 28-year-old Dominican has been tough to trust in starting fantasy lineups in his first year on the North Side of Chicago, as he's gone 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 29 walks in 72 1/3 innings covering his 14 starts. Not only has Cabrera not been able to stay healthy, but he's also sporting a career-low 21% strikeout rate in his sixth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues aren't going to be in any hurry to add him back off the waiver wire when he's back in August. He's currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues while he's on the IL.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
James Triantos Entering Stash Territory Amid Torrid Triple-A Stretch
Chicago Cubs second base prospect James Triantos has enjoyed an impressive stretch at the Triple-A level and has put himself on the stash radar for those in deeper formats. Since June 1, Triantos has posted a dominant .358/.403/.515 line with a sharp .918 OPS. During this noted stretch, Triantos has hit 12 doubles, three home runs, five stolen bases, and a 17:9 K:BB. On the season, the No. 8-ranked prospect in the Chicago system has carried a dominant .311/.349/.448 line with 22 doubles, seven home runs, and 18 stolen bases. However, what kept him in Iowa is Chicago's depth in the middle infield. Even though Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson have not had the most productive seasons, they remain the clear top options on the depth chart. However, if one were to miss time with an injury, Triantos would enter must-stash territory given his five-category upside.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Will Michael Busch Pick Things Up in the Second Half?
Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch has looked good so far in July, going 11-for-38 (.289) with a home run, three doubles, three RBI, and six runs scored in 10 games played and 44 plate appearances. But after a breakout 2025 campaign in which he hit .261/.343/.523 with an .866 OPS, 34 home runs, and 90 RBI in 155 regular-season games, he has underwhelmed for fantasy managers in the first half of 2026. Busch went into this week's All-Star break with a .239/.368/.395 slash line, a .763 OPS, 11 home runs, 49 RBI, 40 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 95 games across 424 plate appearances. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter's expected batting average of .231 and xwOBA of .345 (wOBA of .342) don't give his fantasy managers much hope for a rebound in the second half. The good news is that Busch's strikeout rate sits at a career-low 22.2%, and he's walking at a career-high rate of 14.9%. However, his quality of contact is lacking, ranking in the 48th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 63rd percentile in barrel rate while sitting in just the 53rd percentile in expected slugging. Busch is still an asset in OBP leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't suddenly expect a power outburst in the second half.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Can Jonathon Long Debut in the Second Half?
Chicago Cubs first-base prospect Jonathon Long has seen his production soar over the last month at the Triple-A level and is emerging as a legitimate second-half call-up. Currently, Long is viewed as the No. 7 prospect in the Cubs system. Even though there may not be a clear opening on the MLB roster, if he continues this current trajectory, the team will have a hard time keeping him in the minor leagues down the stretch. Over his last 16 games at Iowa, Long has carried an elite .313/.400/.625 line with eight doubles, four home runs, and a 14:9 K:BB. During this stretch, Long posted a perfect 5-for-5 game on July 9, launching his 10th long ball of the season. While he had a slow start, Long has quickly found his footing at the top club. Managers in deeper 12+ team leagues should continue to closely monitor him, as a second-half call-up is now in play.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
With MLB Debut Nearing, Should Jaxon Wiggins be Stashed?
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins (elbow) returned to the mound at Triple-A Iowa this past Friday, a welcome sight for a big-league staff that could use some reinforcements. The right-hander is returning from a stint on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, and Friday's outing was his first appearance for Iowa since early April. The Cubs' top-ranked pitching prospect showed some rust Friday, walking three batters and throwing a wild pitch in only 2 2/3 innings of work, but was also able to strike out four batters with his fastball touching 98 mph. The Cubs have multiple starters on the injured list, so if Wiggins can increase his workload and look a bit sharper over his next couple of starts, the 6-foot-6 hurler could be in the big leagues sometime in August. With big strikeout potential, the 24-year-old quickly becomes a stash consideration who could prove to be a sneaky fantasy producer for the stretch run.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ian Happ Opens a Sell Window With 17 First-Half Homers
Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ reached the break with 17 home runs and 59 runs, numbers that still carry weight in a trade. The batting average is another story. Happ hit .220 across 397 plate appearances, struck out 31.5% of the time, and slipped to seventh in the order twice during the final four games before the break. There is real power here. His 12.4% barrel rate is better than last season, and a .414 expected slugging percentage is close to the .431 result. The average has no such safety net. Statcast puts him at .205, and he hit .202 in June before going homerless in 39 July plate appearances. OBP leagues can live with the walks. Standard formats feel the damage more. Those 17 homers still give managers something to sell. Use the window.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nico Hoerner's Slump Creates a Second-Half Buying Window
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner limped into the All-Star break at .233/.305/.326, but his fantasy line was not empty. He still produced 37 runs, 38 RBI, and 14 steals in 94 games, and his 7.9% strikeout rate remained absurdly low. Hoerner appeared in 94 of Chicago's 96 games, though he spent the final week mostly batting sixth. The average is the reason to buy. Hoerner's .284 expected batting average sits 51 points above the real number, while his .243 BABIP is nowhere near last season's .313 mark. He is still making contact on 96.1% of pitches in the strike zone. Just do not pay for a power jump that probably is not coming. A 28% hard-hit rate and 0.9% barrel rate tell that story. Managers frustrated by the first-half slide may move him cheaply, and the average-steals rebound is worth chasing.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Webb Earns Another Save for Cubs, Entering Must-Roster Status?
Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb notched his fifth save of the season on Sunday, working two-thirds of an inning and recording both outs without any traffic. Webb has not allowed a run since June 20, his last blown save, and since then has recorded two wins, three saves, and two holds. On the season as a whole, he now has a solid 3.05 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 48:16 K:BB ratio with five saves (nine opportunities), seven holds, and three wins in 42 appearances. He has clearly taken over as the preferred option in the Cubs bullpen for saves, and provides tremendous short-term value while Daniel Palencia (elbow) is on the injured list and is expected back in late July. The Cubs are also a top option to shop for a reliever on the market as the trade deadline approaches, so Webb's value may be short-lived; however, based on the 2026 closer market, he has entered must-roster status in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Trent Thornton Still a Reliable Saves Source in Deep Leagues?
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Trent Thornton entered with two outs and runners at the corners in the ninth inning of Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. After Elly De La Cruz stole second, Thornton got Sal Stewart to ground out for his third save. It was a one-batter appearance, but the 32-year-old has done his job whenever called upon, carrying a 2.48 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 29 innings. The problem is that Chicago still has no dependable ninth-inning pecking order. Jacob Webb remains the preferred option, while Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Rolison are also getting late work with Daniel Palencia (elbow) sidelined. Thornton has converted all three save chances, but his 13 strikeouts in 29 innings leave little fallback value when someone else gets the call. Rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues, he is a speculative add in 15-team formats and deeper, not a reliable source of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jacob Webb Still the Preferred Option for Saves in Chicago?
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Jacob Webb worked a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds, allowing one walk and striking out one. Ryan Rolison opened the ninth by putting runners on the corners, but Trent Thornton got the final out for his third save. Webb still leads Chicago with four saves and carries a 3.10 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts against 16 walks through 40 2/3 innings. The eighth-inning call does not mean Webb lost the job. There really is no clean job to lose while Daniel Palencia (elbow) is sidelined. Webb and Caleb Thielbar remain at the front of the committee, with Rolison and Thornton also capable of getting a chance. Webb had converted two conventional ninth-inning saves in the previous week, so he still has a slight edge, just not a firm grip. At 8% rostered on Yahoo, he is worth adding in 15-team leagues and deeper for short-term save upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaxon Wiggins a Top Stash Following Return to Triple-A Action?
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins returned from the Triple-A injured list on July 10 after a lengthy stint for an elbow injury. However, with Wiggins now back in action at Triple-A, the top prospect in the Chicago system has quickly put himself high on the stash radar. In his return to Triple-A (first game since April 4), Wiggins allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings against St. Paul. However, during his rehab outing across the lower levels, the right-hander was quite sharp, posting a 2.89 ERA with a 9:3 K:BB over 9 1/3 innings. While the former 68th overall pick will likely need several weeks of development at Triple-A Iowa, managers should closely monitor his stats, as he has a clear path to join a weak Cubs rotation hit by injuries to Edward Cabrera, Justin Steele and Cade Horton. If Wiggins can rebound, the right-hander can quickly establish himself as a high-end prospect to stash in all leagues after the All-Star break.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
