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Surgery Hasn't Been Ruled Out for Ben Brown
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (neck), whose 2026 season ended in June due to a recurring neck injury, has not been cleared to throw, and surgery has not been ruled out, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. At a minimum, Brown's short-term future is in question, which is yet another reason why pitching is Chicago's No. 1 priority this offseason. A neck injury also caused Brown to miss a big chunk of time back in 2024. The 27-year-old former 33rd-round pick in 2017 by the Philadelphia Phillies was excellent when available this past season, but he appeared in only 20 games (eight starts) for the Cubbies before being shut down. Brown went 4-2 with a career-best 1.85 ERA (2.50 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 19 walks in 68 innings pitched. In 2025, he had a career-best 121 strikeouts and 32 walks in 106 1/3 frames. If he is forced to go under the knife, Brown almost certainly will not be ready for the start of the 2027 campaign, and it could force him to miss most, if not all, of next season. Because of Brown's health issues, it would not be a surprise to see the Cubs convert him into a full-time reliever.
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma
Seiya Suzuki Receives Qualifying Offer From Cubs
As expected, outfielder Seiya Suzuki received a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Suzuki will almost certainly decline the offer and enter the free-agent market this winter as one of the top free-agent outfield bats available. It remains to be seen if Chicago is serious about re-signing the 32-year-old, who had another strong season in 2026 in his fifth year in the majors, slashing .270/.368/.473 with an .841 OPS, 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 96 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 143 games across 634 plate appearances. Suzuki sold out for power in 2025 with a career-low .245 batting average (140-for-571), but he did produce career highs in home runs (32) and RBI (103) in 151 regular-season games played. In addition to being a consistent power bat in the outfield, Suzuki has graded out well defensively in right field, which will make him even more attractive on the open market this offseason. If he declines the Cubs' qualifying offer (he should), the Cubs will receive draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Pete Crow-Armstrong Wins Second Gold Glove Award
In addition to hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in 2026, Chicago Cubs All-Star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong won his second Gold Glove Award in center field after leading baseball with 26 outs above average, according to Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru of MLB.com. PCA also ranked sixth among outfielders in baseball with 10 defensive runs saved. The 24-year-old two-time All-Star is the favorite to take home the National League MVP Award this year after slashing .280/.372/.570 with a .943 OPS, 107 RBI, and 119 runs scored, in addition to his league-leading 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases in 162 games across 726 plate appearances. Crow-Armstrong also led the league in slugging (.570), OPS (.943), and total bases (357). The other Gold Glove winners in the NL were Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno, Braves first baseman Matt Olson, Brewers second baseman Brice Turang, Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman, Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio, Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll, Mets pitcher Nolan McLean, and Braves utility man Mauricio Dubon.
Source: MLB.com - Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
Source: MLB.com - Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
Cubs' Matthew Boyd Declines His Player Option
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd has declined his player option and will become a free agent this offseason, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reports. Boyd was 10-5 this season with a 3.91 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 96 strikeouts in 126 2/3 innings pitched. Boyd joins teammate Clay Holmes in declining his option and becomes a free agent with fellow Cubs starting pitchers Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, and David Peterson. The Cubs could look to revamp their starting rotation this offseason depending on how many of their free agents they bring back for next season.
Source: ESPN, Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN, Jesse Rogers
Clay Holmes Declines his Player Option for 2027
Chicago Cubs right-hander Clay Holmes declined his player options and has become a free agent, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Holmes joins Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, Matthew Boyd, and David Peterson as free agents as the Cubs look for a rebuild of their pitching staff this offseason. Rogers guesses that one or two of the five names listed could possibly return to the Cubs this offseason. The pitching rotation will likely have a new look for the Cubs whenever baseball does return. Holmes was 6-8 combined between the Mets and Cubs this year with a 3.29 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, while Boyd went 10-5 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
Source: Jesse Rogers, ESPN
Source: Jesse Rogers, ESPN
Michael Busch Focused on Regaining Pull-Side Power in 2027
Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch said he is focused on being more aggressive at the plate to regain his pull-side power in 2027, per Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. Busch had a breakout year in 2025, hitting .261 with 34 home runs, 90 RBI, and 78 runs scored across 592 plate appearances. However, the 28-year-old's numbers regressed across the board in 2026, as he hit .242 with only 20 homers and 77 RBI across 710 plate appearances this past season. Busch's walk rate improved to a career-best 13.0%, but his pull rate fell from 46.8% to 40.0%. Perhaps due to letting the ball travel, Busch's barrel rate plummeted from 17.1% to 9.1%. If the lefty slugger can regain some of his missing power over the offseason, he would become a much more attractive option for fantasy managers in 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney, Sahadev Sharma
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney, Sahadev Sharma
Cubs Expected to Have Interest in Keeping Clay Holmes
The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that the Chicago Cubs are expected to have interest in keeping right-hander Clay Holmes for the 2027 season despite his disappointing end to the year after the team acquired him in a trade from the New York Mets. Holmes has a $12 million player option for next season. If Holmes turns down his option and becomes a free agent, the Cubs could once again become desperate for pitching reinforcements. "In so many ways, Clay fits our team really well," president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "He puts the ball on the ground." Holmes had an 8.24 ERA in four September starts for the Cubbies, walking 15 batters in 19 2/3 innings after posting a 1.55 ERA in five August starts after the trade. His lack of command down the stretch dropped the Cubs out of the top Wild-Card spot in the National League, and they were swept by the San Diego Padres in two games in the Wild-Card series. Before the Cubs acquired Holmes, he had not pitched for the Mets since May 15 due to a fractured right fibula. Holmes could bounce back with better health in 2027 in Chicago or somewhere else, but he will also be turning 34 years of age.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Kevin Gausman Starting in Game 2 Versus Padres
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Kevin Gausman will start Game 2 of the Wild-Card Series against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Petco Park, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. Gausman has been cleared to make the start after injuring his left (non-throwing) shoulder while diving to make a play at third base in his final regular-season start last week, and he will be tasked with helping the Cubs avoid elimination in the three-game series after they lost 9-0 on Tuesday night in Game 1. The 35-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star went 9-12 overall in 2026 with a 4.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 184 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings pitched over his 32 starts with the Cubbies and Toronto Blue Jays. Gausman pitched slightly worse after being traded to Chicago at the early-August deadline, going 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 57:11 K:BB in his nine starts covering 50 1/3 innings. His lone start against the Padres this year came with Toronto on July 12, when he gave up three earned runs in six innings for a no-decision with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma
Kevin Gausman Good to Go for Wild-Card Series
Chicago Cubs veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) is on the team's Wild-Card roster for the series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park this week, which would indicate that his left-shoulder injury is no longer an issue, according to Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder while attempting to make a diving play at third base in his final start of the regular season last Wednesday, but he appears to be fine now. The Cubs are sending left-hander Matthew Boyd out for Game 1 of the series against the Padres on Tuesday, but Gausman could be tapped to take the ball in Game 2 on Wednesday or, if necessary, in Game 3 on Thursday. The 35-year-old veteran began the 2026 season with the Toronto Blue Jays but was acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline to add depth to their banged-up starting rotation. The two-time All-Star was inconsistent in his nine starts for Chicago, going 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 57:11 K:BB in 50 1/3 innings. He faced the Padres in San Diego while still with the Blue Jays on July 12 and allowed three earned runs with three walks and eight strikeouts in six innings for a no-decision.
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
Matthew Boyd to Start Game 1 Against Padres on Tuesday
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd will start Game 1 of the Wild-Card Series on Tuesday against the hosting San Diego Padres at Petco Park, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. He will be opposed by Padres right-hander Michael King in a rematch of last year's National League Wild-Card Series at Wrigley Field, a series the Cubs won in three games. The 35-year-old Boyd went 10-5 this year for the Cubbies with a 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts in 126 2/3 innings pitched across 22 games. Boyd allowed 10 earned runs in his first three starts of September against the Milwaukee Brewers (twice) and Pittsburgh Pirates, but he cleaned it up in his final two starts of the regular season with two earned runs allowed, four walks, and seven strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins. The crafty veteran pitched well against SD last year in the postseason, but that was not the case in his two regular-season starts against them in 2026, as he allowed eight earned runs on 16 hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out six in nine innings.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Alex Bregman Returns as DH on Friday
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (face) is back in the starting lineup on Friday and will serve as the designated hitter and bat third in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, per MLB.com. Bregman is back for the first time since he suffered multiple facial fractures on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds when he was hit by a foul ball in the on-deck circle. Bregman did not need surgery, though, and he has been cleared to hit only in the series opener against his former team after the swelling around his left eye went down. The 32-year-old will now look to get his timing back down in the final weekend series of the regular season before the Cubs start a wild-card series in the playoffs next week. Bregman has bounced back in 2026 in his first year in Chicago with 26 home runs and 89 RBI while slashing .262/.352/.452 in 153 games. He also hit .296 (34-for-115) in 28 games in August and is currently hitting .295 (18-for-61) in 18 games in September. The Cubs are hoping Bregman can stay hot heading into the postseason next week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alex Bregman Has Resumed Hitting
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (face) did not return to the starting lineup for the team's series finale against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on Thursday, but he has resumed hitting, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney. The All-Star third baseman continues to recover from a freak accident when he was hit by a foul ball while in the on-deck circle against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures, but manager Craig Counsell has not ruled him out from returning for the final regular-season series of the year this weekend at Fenway Park against his old team, the Boston Red Sox. "But he's feeling good in terms of the hitting part. That went well. He's happy with how that went, so we'll just do a little more, run around a little bit more today and see how that makes him feel. And we'll just keep progressing," Counsell said. To be cleared to play this weekend in Boston, Bregman needs to get the swelling down around his left eye. Bregman is hoping that his strong month of September (.295 average, .968 OPS in 18 games) can shift seamlessly into the start of the postseason next week, despite his freak face injury last weekend.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Kevin Gausman Unsure When he Might Pitch Again
Chicago Cubs veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) said his left shoulder is still sore from the diving play he made at third base in the loss to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Gausman is getting treatment, but he would not predict his availability to pitch in the wild-card series next week. The 35-year-old is now up in the air as an option to pitch for the Cubbies in Game 1 of the wild-card series next week against an undetermined opponent. In his final regular-season start of 2026 on Wednesday night, Gausman allowed two earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision. He had a 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 23 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays to begin the year before being traded to the Cubs at the deadline in early August. Gausman was not quite as good in nine starts with Chicago, going 4-2 with a 4.83 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 57:11 K:BB in 50 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
Source: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
Kevin Gausman Comes out of Wednesday's Start With Shoulder Soreness
Chicago Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) came up wincing and in some apparent pain after diving to tag a runner out at third base during his start on Wednesday at Wrigley Field against the visiting Miami Marlins, according to Tony Andracki. Gausman was pulled from the game, but he was also at 101 pitches on the night. Manager Craig Counsell said that Gausman's left shoulder got extended awkwardly and "grabbed on him" on the play. He is now sore, and the Cubs will see how he feels in the next couple of days. Gausman is lined up to potentially start Game 1 or 2 next week in the wild-card series in the playoffs. The good news for the Cubs is that the injury is to the veteran's non-throwing arm as well. He came one out shy of a quality start for his fantasy managers on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out seven in 5 2/3 frames for a no-decision. The 35-year-old veteran came into his final start of the regular season with a 9-12 record, 4.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 177 strikeouts in 172 innings pitched in 2026 with the Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays.
Source: Tony Andracki
Source: Tony Andracki
Alex Bregman Not Ready to Return on Wednesday
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (face) remains out of the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's game at Wrigley Field against the visiting Miami Marlins, per MLB.com. Pedro Ramirez is making the start at the hot corner and will bat seventh against Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds when he was struck in the face by a foul ball while in the on-deck circle. Thankfully, the 32-year-old veteran will not need surgery, and the Cubs are not ruling out a return for Bregman before the end of the week to close out the 2026 regular season. Chicago would like to get Bregman some at-bats going into next week's wild-card series. In his first year with the Cubbies, the three-time All-Star is hitting .262/.352/.452 with an .804 OPS, 26 home runs, 89 RBI, 89 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 153 games and 693 plate appearances. Although Bregman is not a lock to return by the end of the weekend, the Cubs should have him available next week for the start of the playoffs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
