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  • MLB Notes

    Read quick notes on the Chicago Cubs big league club, including injuries, lineup changes and roster moves.

    80 rumors in this category

      Steve Drumwright

       

      New papa Trent Thornton is back in the Chicago Cubs' bullpen.

      Thornton on Friday was activated from the paternity list by the Cubs, who sent down fellow right-handed reliever Tyler Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa. Thornton went on the paternity list Tuesday.

      Ferguson appeared in one game after being called up to replace Ferguson, going 1⅓ innings and giving up one run on three hits with no walks and three punchouts. It was his second MLB appearance this year after the May 5 game against the Philadelphia Phillies while he was a member of the A's.

      In that game, he gave up four runs on four hits, including two homers, with a strikeout in 1⅓ innings. He was designated for assignment by the A's the next day and traded to the Cubs the day after.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      After making a handful of moves before Tuesday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies, the Chicago Cubs tacked on another in what has been a revolving door in the bullpen.

      The Cubs placed Trent Thornton on the paternity list and called up fellow right-handed reliever Tyler Ferguson from Triple-A Iowa. Thornton can be away from the club for up to three days for the birth of his child.

      Thornton has a 5.30 FIP (1.69 ERA) in 12 appearances and 16 innings. He has a rather high 11.3% walk rate and a very below average 9.7% strikeout rate.

      Ferguson is up for the second time this season with Chicago, but has yet to make his Cubs debut. He was acquired from the A's on May 7 after he had been designated for assignment after giving up four runs in 1⅓ innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. He had been called up last week, but didn't pitch and was optioned back to Iowa.

       

      Bryan Jaeger

      The Cubs selected Kaleb Wing at #121 in the 2025 MLB Draft. Wing is an RHP at Scotts Valley High School (CA). The slot value for this pick is $623.300. The high schooler was ranked 127th on Northside Baseball's MLB Mock Draft Board.

      Here's our write-up of Wing by our draft expert, Jamie Cameron:

      "Wing is a prep-righty out of Northern California currently committed to Loyola-Marymount. He's been a two-way player for most of his amateur career and therefore hasn't focused solely on pitching for long, a fact that could play in his corner with a drafting org.

      It's a 6'2", 180-pound frame that a team will hope they can hang some more good weight on, but he's a slender-framed player. Nonetheless, his stuff took a major step forward this spring. His fastball, which previously sat in the upper 80s to low 90s, suddenly popped 95 mph. Additionally, there's a big curveball with good spin and depth, and a changeup that's more developmental. The delivery is solid, too. There's a lot to like here, with work to be done on the arsenal and developing a consistently usable third pitch. Even so, Wing has shot up boards this spring into day one consideration."

      As a senior at Scotts Valley High School, he only pitched in 10 games, but had a 1.23 ERA. At the plate, he had 108 plate appearances, hitting .307 with four home runs, 22 runs, and 24 knocked in. His dad, Ryan, was a two-way player as well, but he never went higher than Triple-A in the A's organization. Being a two-way player, Kaleb could provide a lot of production if he elects to skip college and begin his professional career. 

      What do you think of the pick? Add your thoughts in the comments.

      Bryan Jaeger

      The Cubs selected Kade Snell at #151 in the 2025 MLB Draft. Snell is a left fielder at the University of Alabama. The slot value for this pick is $465,400. 

      Here's what MiLB.com says about Snell:

      "Recruited by Auburn as a left-handed pitcher, Snell redshirted while dealing with injuries in 2021 before transferring to Wallace-Dothan (Ala.) CC and starring as a two-way player. The national junior college player of the year in 2023, he played both ways at Alabama in 2024 before becoming a full-time left fielder this spring. He's one of the more attractive discount hitters available as a Southeastern Conference performer with intriguing data and also no college eligibility remaining.

      Snell offers one of the better combinations of swing decisions, contact, and exit velocities in the college ranks. He has a quality left-handed stroke, rarely misses a fastball while handling all types of pitches, and drives the ball to all fields. While he's a hit-over-power guy, he has enough strength to provide 15 homers per year and perhaps more if he learns to lift balls in the air more regularly.

      While Snell will flash close to average speed at his best, he's more of a below-average runner with limited range in left field. He has an average arm and topped out at 93 mph with his fastball as a redshirt junior. Scouts love his competitiveness and leadership, and his all-star summer with wood bats in the Cape Cod League in 2023 is another point in his favor."

      Last season, Snell hit .363/.464/.575 with 10 home runs, 49 runs, and 52 knocked in. He has good plate vision, drawing 38 walks while only 18 strikeouts over 261 plate appearances. The lefty is a contact hitter primarily, but has the lift and exit velocity to produce runs. 

      What do you think of the pick? Add your thoughts in the comments.

      Steve Drumwright

      Needing a jolt of energy following a three-game sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, an injury situation will bring a newcomer to the Chicago Cubs' roster.

      Infielder Pedro Ramirez, North Side Baseball's No. 3 prospect, was called up by the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa to make his MLB debut as right fielder Matt Shaw went on the 10-day injured list with back tightness.

      Shaw has been dealing with the back issue all week and the Cubs decided Friday to put him on the IL. Shaw has a .242/.291/.400 slash line with three homers and 12 RBIs in 42 games.

      Ramirez has made a steady climb up the minor-league ladder, spending each of the last three seasons at Low-A (2023), High-A (2024) and Double-A (2025), then beginning this year at Triple-A. At Iowa, Ramirez has a slash line of .312/.395/.547 with nine homers, 40 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

      Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Ramirez won't be thrown into the starting lineup, instead the Cubs will take this opportunity to expose him to the MLB clubhouse and get his bearings.

      “It’s not going to be a big playing role,” Counsell said. “If it’s not going to be a playing role, it’s probably going to be a shorter stint. But I think it’s also good for him to get exposure to the Major Leagues, get exposure to the group, get exposure to the schedule, so that if we run into a situation where it is a lot of playing time, he doesn’t have to go through it for the first time while playing.”

      Matthew Nethercott

      FanSided announced the finalists for the Silver Slugger Awards on Thursday, honoring the top hitters at each position. Three Chicago Cubs, along with the team itself, were named finalists, and all of them have a real shot to win.

      The first is presumed NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong. In 2026, Crow-Armstrong posted a 157 wRC+ with 45 home runs and 107 RBIs. If he’s going to win MVP, he should take home a Silver Slugger too. Remember, the outfield is given just three awards, regardless of position.

      Last offseason, the Cubs shocked the baseball world by bringing Alex Bregman to Chicago. After a slow start, Bregman finished with a 128 wRC+, 28 home runs and 93 RBIs. He caught fire in the second half, ranking among the best third basemen in baseball, and has a solid shot to win.

      Seiya Suzuki, now a free agent, is also a finalist. Suzuki was one of the best hitting outfielders in baseball in 2026, posting a 134 wRC+ with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs. He'll have to overcome some stiff outfield competition which includes Crow-Armstrong, Jackson Chourio, and James Wood.

      The Cubs are also up for the team award after finishing as the top offense in the sport in terms of runs scored. They posted a team 114 wRC+ and a .428 slugging percentage, four points better than any other squad.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Right fielder Seiya Suzuki is making his much-anticipated return to the Chicago Cubs' lineup Friday.

      Suzuki was activated from the 10-day injured list following his sprained right posterior cruciate ligament during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Japan. Outfielder Dylan Carlson was designated for assignment.

      Today's roster moves presented by @NuveenInv:

      [image or embed]

      — Chicago Cubs (@cubsbot.bsky.social) April 10, 2026 at 9:50 AM

      The Cubs also made a move in their bullpen, putting right-hander Phil Maton on the 15-day IL with tendinitis in his right knee and calling up Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa.

      Suzuki will be a welcome addition to a Cubs offense that entered Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a .680 OPS, which ranked 14th in MLB. He is coming off a 2025 in which he slashed .245/.326/.478 with career highs of 32 homers and 103 RBIs.

      Carlson signed a minor-league contract in January and made the club out of spring training primarily due to Suzuki's injury. But Carlson appeared in just three of 12 games, going 0-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts. If he clears waivers, it is possible that he reports to Triple-A to remain in the organization.

      Maton had struggled in his five appearances, posting a 13.50 ERA in four innings with four walks and five strikeouts. Roberts is back for his second stint with the Cubs this season after being the extra player for Sunday's doubleheader, getting the final two outs of the 6-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      The big storm hitting the northeast has caused MLB to make another change to the weekend schedule, this one being the most dramatic.

      After rescheduling Sunday's game to part of a Friday doubleheader, MLB announced after Game 1 of that twinbill that Saturday's final game of the series, pending the completion of Friday's doubleheader, will be played at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. All of the games that day will start at 3:05 p.m.

      While the Red Sox have secured the AL's second wild card and thus the No. 5 seed, the Cubs' position in the postseason is still not clear. After losing the opener Friday 4-3, the Cubs are 1½ games behind the San Diego Padres for the top NL wild card. The Cubs, who already clinched a playoff spot, are also just a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, who host the Rays in a three-game series. The Padres, who clinched Thursday, are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in their final regular-season series. The Phillies lead the D'backs by two games for the final berth in the NL playoff field.

      Matthew Lenz

      The New York Mets have poached a Minor League Hitting Coach from the Chicago Cubs organization to fill the same role in their organization.

      Mike Puma of the NY Post is reporting that the Mets have hired Rachel Folden, who was the Iowa Cubs Hitting Coach in 2025, as their Double-A Binghamton Hitting Coach.

      Folden, a four-time All-American softball player at Marshall University and a five-year professional catcher in National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), was with the Cubs organization for six seasons. She was the first female coach in the organization's history when hired in 2019. Folden coached three different levels in her tenure with the Cubs, as well as serving as the organization's Minor League Hitting Coordinator in 2023.

      In an article by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com before the 2025 season, multiple top prospects had glowing remarks about Folden. Owen Caissie was quoted as saying, "She knows her stuff...and there’s no nonsense with her. She just calls it the way it is..." Moises Ballesteros had similarly positive remarks, saying, "She’s really good. I liked to hear she’ll be together with me at Triple-A. She’ll be working with me every single day. That made me happy."

      Now, she'll be looking to help one of baseball's best farm systems develop its top prospects. The New York Mets are expected to have multiple top-20 organizational hitting prospects at Double-A Binghamton in 2026. She is the first female coach in the history of the Mets organization.

      How do you think this will impact the Cubs' minor league hitting development at Iowa? Let us know in the comments!

       

      Matthew Nethercott

      According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, starters Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd have both declined their contract option for the 2027 season and will become free agents.

      Boyd signed a two-year deal with a mutual option prior to the 2025 season. With the Cubs in 2026, Boyd posted a 3.91 ERA in 126 2/3 innings of work with an 18.5% strikeout rate and a 7.5% walk rate.

      Holmes came to the Cubs at the trade deadline from the Mets. He was not as successful in Chicago as he was in New York earlier this season, but he was just coming off the injured list after fracturing his fibula on a comebacker. With the Cubs, Holmes posted a 4.25 ERA in 48 2/3 innings of work with a 16.2% strikeout rate and an 11.8% walk rate. 

      With Kevin Gausman and Shota Imanaga also free agents, the Cubs' pitching staff is undergoing a total makeover this winter.

      Matthew Lenz

      It's been a very good off-season for the Chicago Cubs, and now they are rewarding three members of their front office.

      Jordan Bastian of MLB.com shared an official communication from the Chicago Cubs, announcing Garrett Chiado being promoted to assistant general manager, Ben Martin being promoted to assistant director of Major League development, and Brad Moylan being promoted to coordinator of Major League Video and Technology.

      Chiado previously held two titles, Director of Pro Strategy and Director of Pro Analytics. Per the release, he will "we're closely with executive leadership on broader organizational strategy and acquisition initiatives."

      Martin, previously the assistant Director of player develop, will "lead evidenced base planning and analysis for Major League position players, while ensuring alignment with the Player Development department", per the release.

      Moylan, who was the International Scouting Data and Technology assistant, will "oversee the club's instant replay process, providing video and technology support, and assisting with advanced logistics."

      What do you think of these promotions? Let us know in the comments!

      Matthew Lenz

      The Chicago Cubs continue to add pitching depth after recently acquiring one of the best arms in the market. Their most recent moves come in the form of a non-guaranteed, low-risk bullpen arm.

      Jordan Bastian of MLB.com is reporting that the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Jeff Brigham. He also received a non-roster invite to big-league camp.

      Brigham, 33, has spent parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Miami Marlins, New York Mets, and, most recently, the Arizona Diamondbacks. He threw 3 1/3 innings across four appearances in 2025. Over his career, he has 94 appearances (4 starts) and more than 120 innings pitched. He has a career 4.85 ERA (5.21 FIP) and a below-average 13.1% K-BB rate due to a high walk rate.

      Obviously, this move doesn't move the needle. At best, he's an arm that will stay game-ready in Triple-A Iowa and be called upon in the event of a doubleheader or if the Cubs' bullpen is down bad with injuries. Like a lot of injuries.

      Matthew Lenz

      It sounds like the back-and-forth between the Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Shota Imanaga will continue. After the team declined their option to extend Imanaga for a fifth year, he declined the player's option that was triggered afterward. While most thought that was the end of it, it was somewhat surprising to learn that the Cubs then tendered him a qualifying offer. 

      Now, Jon Heyman of the NY Post is reporting that Shota Imanaga is expected to decline that qualifying offer. However, all is not lost, according to 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. Despite the back-and-forth that has resulted in Imanaga becoming a free agent, he cites the president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, in saying that there is no disconnect between the two sides. He adds that "a two-year deal of some kind could be worked out."

      Limited to 25 starts in 2025, Imanaga posted a 3.73 ERA (4.86 FIP) and a 16.% K-BB rate due to a low strikeout rate. He walked opposing hitters at an impressive 4.6% clip. His fastball accrued a Run Value (RV) of -10 in 2025, after an RV of +4 in 2024. While opponents hit just .227 off the pitch, they slugged .567 and had a .356 wOBA against the offering, including an astonishing 24 home runs. This was coupled with less effective secondary offerings, particularly his split finger, whose RV was cut in half from 2024 to 2025. MLBTR predicts Imanaga to get $45 million over three years.

      Do you think the Cubs should look to bring him back or pursue a higher-end starter? Let us know your comments!

      Matthew Lenz

      The Chicago Cubs will have some work to do to rebuild their rotation for the 2026 season after the announcement of an option decision on one of their top starting pitchers.

      Jesse Rogers of MLB.com is reporting that  "the [Cubs] rejected their option to extend [Shota Imanaga's] contract out to a fifth year. That triggered his ability to exercise a $15 million player option for 2026. He declined that as well." He will now become a free agent after two seasons with the club, though they could make a $22 million qualifying offer in the lefty.

      Limited to 25 starts in 2025, Imanaga posted a 3.73 ERA (4.86 FIP) and a 16.% K-BB rate due to a low strikeout rate. He walked opposing hitters at an impressive 4.6% clip. These numbers were all down from an impressive rookie season that earned him an All-Star appearance, as well as Rookie of the Year and Cy Young votes.

      The biggest difference in his two seasons was the effectiveness of his fastball. A pitch that accrued a Run Value (RV) of +4 in 2024, accumulated an RV of -10 last season. While opponents hit just .227 off the pitch, they slugged .567 and had a .356 wOBA against the offering, including an astonishing 24 home runs. This was coupled with less effective secondary offerings, particularly his split finger, whose RV was cut in half from 2024 to 2025.

      Despite his struggles, this announcement strengthens the otherwise weak upcoming free-agent starting pitcher class a bit. Do you think the Cubs should try to bring Imanaga back? Let us know in the comments!

      Matthew Lenz

      The Chicago Cubs see themselves as contenders in 2026. After the offseason they've had, that is a completely justifiable viewpoint to have. In fact, a recent report suggests that they are willing to do what it takes to topple the modern-day "evil empire known" as the Los Angeles Dodgers.

      Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that Chicago Cubs general manager Cody Hawkins has said paying the luxury tax in 2026 is "less of a consideration." He added that the team will remain active in the free-agent and trade markets if something presents itself.

      Although not off the table, realistically, this likely indicates the Cubs' willingness to add payroll via trade. Cody Bellinger and Framber Valdez represent the two biggest names left on the free agent market, and the Chicago Cubs have not been tied to either player. However, the Alex Bregman signing created an opportunity to shop Matt Shaw and/or Nico Hoerner to two teams in need of versatile infield help.

      It would be in those trade talks, which have reportedly already been presented, where the Cubs would be willing to add a high-impact player to their roster regardless of what it would mean for their payroll and luxury tax situation.

      If the Cubs were to pay the luxury tax, which player(s) currently available would be worth it? Let us know in the comments!

      Matthew Lenz

      Amid all the trade deadline buzz, it's being widely reported that the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game. The official announcement is expected the day following the trade deadline, August 1st.

      Wrigley Field last hosted the event in 1990. Prior to 1990, Wrigley Field hosted the All-Star Game in 1947 and 1962 (note that there were two All-Star Games played in 1962, with the other held in Washington, D.C.).

      In the 1947 MLB All-Star Game, the American League defeated the National League 2-1 in a pitcher's duel. Johnny Mize hit a home run for the National League, but the American League scored the tying and winning runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.

      In the second All-Star Game played in 1962. The American League broke a five-game losing streak, defeating the National League 9-4. Leon Wagner was named MVP. The game was marked by four National League errors and three American League home runs.

      Finally, in the 1990 MLB All-Star Game, the American League shut out the National League 2-0. Julio Franco hit a two-run double in the seventh inning, providing all the scoring, and was named the game's MVP. The National League only managed two hits, the fewest in All-Star Game history.

      Matthew Lenz

       

      The Chicago Cubs are hoping to hit on at least one diamond in the rough and have added another candidate to the growing list of players on a minor league contract. 

      Independent reporter Francys Romero is reporting that the Chicago Cubs and righty reliever Yacksel Rios have agreed to a minor league deal. Though not reported, these deals typically include an invitation to big league camp as well.

      Rios, 32, hasn't pitched in Major League Baseball since 2023 with the Oakland Athletics. For the last two seasons, he has spent time in the New York Mets organization (mostly at Triple-A - Syracuse); however, he was limited to 4 appearances in 2025 after suffering an injury in 2024. Over his career, he has made 92 relief appearances, posting a 6.32 ERA (5.61 FIP) across 98 1/3 innings. He has a lowly 8.3% strikeout minus walk rate thanks to an elevated walk rate, which has always been a hindrance to his success.

      Do you think Rios can show enough to break camp with a big league club, or is he destined for Triple-A Iowa? Let us know in the comments!

       

      Brandon Glick

      The one thing the Cubs successfully did at the trade deadline was address their porous bench, adding utility man Willi Castro just before the final buzzer sounded. Now, Castro hasn't been great in Chicago (.433 OPS), but his defensive versatility has been huge for a lineup that was overplaying its regulars.

      Now, the team is adding more depth to the bench, as they appear close to signing Carlos Santana, just days after the Guardians released him:

      I did a full write-up of Santana a few weeks ago prior to the trade deadline (in regard to his fit with the Red Sox, but the analysis still applies), so to paraphrase myself: he's a 39-year-old former catcher playing in his 16th MLB season. Offensively, Santana isn't quite the voracious slugger he once was, but he's still capable of producing when it counts. Through 116 games (455 plate appearances this season), the veteran is slashing .225/.316/.333, good for an 86 wRC+. His ISO (.109) is down at career-low levels, but his walk (11.4%) and strikeout rates (18.9%) remain positively elite.

      Santana has become a great defender at first base in recent years, and he's on pace for perhaps his best season with the glove yet. His seven Outs Above Average are in line with the 14 he gave Minnesota in 2024, and his 11 DRS tie his best mark (set in 2023).

      Cubs fans will remember him best from the 2016 World Series, when he tormented Cubs pitching to the tune of a .771 OPS. Hopefully, he can provide the kind of veteran leadership this club needs to make a deep run in the playoffs.

      Maddie Landis

      Earlier today, Rawlings announced the 2026 Gold Glove finalists. The Chicago Cubs were well represented with five players: 

      • CF: Pete Crow Armstrong (previously won in '25)
      • 3B: Alex Bregman (previously won in '24)
      • SS: Dansby Swanson (previously won '22-23)
      • LF: Ian Happ (previously won '22-25 )
      • RF: Seiya Suzuki (first nomination)

      Should we be surprised? Not really. This past season, no team played better defense than the Cubs. Among the plethora of defensive stats, they led the league in FRV (76), OAA (74), and DRS (115). Notably, second baseman Nico Hoerner (9 OAA & FRV each) was excluded, but he had to fill in at shortstop for Dansby Swanson’s oblique injury. 

      The most unexpected nominee was Seiya Suzuki. In his walk season, he upped his defensive game. Among NL right fielders, he ranked first in FRV (8) and DRS (14) and second in OAA (3). Keep in mind, Suzuki played in the same league as Diamondbacks speedster Corbin Carroll and is six years older than him. This is Suzuki's first Gold Glove nomination in the majors. As a member of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, he had previously won five NPB Gold Gloves Awards.

      The winners will be announced on Sunday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

      Brock Beauchamp

      How To Install On iPhone or iPad
      How To Install On Android Device

      Developing a pure, native app for either Android or iOS is a breathtakingly expensive endeavor, which is why we haven’t done it, despite so many requests over the years. Thankfully, technology has met us halfway, and PWAs (Progressive Web Applications) have reached maturity in the marketplace.

      What is a PWA? It’s effectively a pseudo-app that works much like a native application but doesn’t require tens of thousands of dollars in development to produce. It creates a single browser instance and maintains it as if it were an application. It’s basically a standalone browser tab, dedicated specifically to North Side Baseball.

      From this app instance, you can receive notifications; the typical browser interface is removed, and the site is presented clearly, using as much screen real estate as possible, all without sacrificing any functionality. The site is faster, more reliable, and offers more mobile functionality than a standard web browser.

      Additionally, a newer, completely updated North Side Baseball is coming later this year, and that will add even more app-like features, making PWA usage even better for all our users.

      With that said, here’s how you turn North Side Baseball into an app on your mobile device.

      How To “Install” North Side Baseball on iPhone or iPad Using Safari

      First, go to the home page of North Side Baseball at https://northsidebaseball.com/.

      1. Tap on the ellipses (…) at bottom right of screen.
      2. Tap “Share” in pop-up menu.

      ios1.jpg

      3. Tap “View More”.
      4. Tap “Add To Home Screen”.
      5. Tap “Add”.

      ios2.jpg

      That takes you to your home screen on iOS, where you can move the North Side Baseball app around, just as you would any other app.

      Additionally, you can turn on notifications for them. Just go to the following link while logged into the site: https://northsidebaseball.com/notifications/options/.

      ios3.jpg

      How To “Install” North Side Baseball on an Android Device Using Chrome

      First, go to the home page of North Side Baseball at https://northsidebaseball.com/.

      1. Tap on the vertical ellipses (…) at top right of screen.
      2. Tap “Share…” in pop-up menu.

      android1.jpg

      3. Tap “Add to Home Screen”.
      4. Tap “Install”.

      android2.jpg

      That takes you to your home screen on Android, where you can move the North Side Baseball app around, just as you would any other app.

      Additionally, you can turn on notifications for the site. Just go to the following link while logged into the site: https://northsidebaseball.com/notifications/options/.

      android3.jpg

      Connor Tomko

      For the first time in his career, Owen Caissie has been named International League Player of the Week following an absolutely dominant series against the Omaha Storm Chasers last week.

      Caissie slashed an incredible .476/.560/1.143 hitting two doubles, four home runs and tallying six RBIs, while also scoring nine runs and drawing four walks.

      The Cubs' No. 1 prospect (MLB.com) started the series against the Storm Chasers with an 0-for at the dish before ripping off four straight multi-hit performances, which included three-hit games on Friday and Sunday.

      Caissie also launched two-homer games in consecutive contests on Thursday and Saturday, bringing his season total to 16, just six shy of his career-best mark of 22, which he set in 2023 at Double-A Tennessee.

      His torrid start to July comes on the heels of a monster June, where he slashed .316/.435/.605 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in 22 games.

      The headlining prospect return piece as part of the Yu Darvish trade with the Padres in the winter of 2020, his peak is coming at the perfect time for the Cubs, who might want to use the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game participant to headline a trade package for a top-of-the-rotation arm at the deadline.

      Brock Beauchamp

      Kyle Tucker has earned his fourth All‑Star nod—but this time as a National League starter, joining the Cubs after a blockbuster offseason trade. This season he’s slashing an impressive .290/.393/.533, with 17 homers, 20 steals, and a .923 OPS. Although Tucker has been one of the best players in the game for years, this marks his first All‑Star start, coming after three previous reserve selections with Houston.

      Pete Crow‑Armstrong, the 23‑year‑old Cubs center fielder, has turned heads this season and is the first All‑Star selection as an NL starting outfielder. Offensively, he’s recording a .265/.301/.537 line with 21 home runs and 25 steals, ranking first in NL bWAR (4.5) and second in fWAR (4.0). His defense has been equally elite, leading NL outfielders in defensive runs saved. Crow-Armstrong has quickly become a fan favorite, and this is the first time he has been voted into the starting lineup for the All‑Star Game.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      For the second time this season, the Chicago Cubs are down their closer.

      Right-hander Daniel Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday by the Cubs with inflammation in his right elbow. Right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell was called up from Triple-A Iowa.

      Palencia went on the 15-day IL on April 16 with a mild strain of his left oblique. It was a short stay there as he returned to the Cubs on May 3. Palencia appeared in Monday's game, pitching the ninth inning of the Cubs' 5-4 walk-off victory over the Colorado Rockies. He walked one and struck out three.

      The 26-year-old has a 3.46 FIP (2.70 ERA) in 19 games and 16⅔ innings, with a walk rate of 8.5% and a strikeout rate of 26.8%.

      Hollowell is up for the second time this season. In a one-day call-up, he appeared in the May 7 game against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 1⅔ innings, giving up two runs on two hits, including a homer, with four walks and a strikeout. In 15 games at Iowa this year, he has a 3.63 ERA with 14 walks and 27 strikeouts in 17⅓ innings.

       

      Matthew Lenz

      Major League Baseball announced the National League Silver Slugger winners, and one Chicago Cubs player will need to make room in his trophy case.

      Outfielder Kyle Tucker won his first career Silver Slugger in his first (and maybe only) season with the Cubs. He joins his outfield counterparts in bringing home some hardware (Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong won Gold Gloves).

      Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464 (.841 OPS) with 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases. It was his third 20-20 season in four years. He was most effective with runners on base, posting a .908 OPS, including a .865 OPS with runners in scoring position and 28 extra base hits. On another note, the Cubs tendered a qualifying offer to Tucker, and he could return if he agrees to a one-year, $22.025 million pact.

      The Silver Slugger Award is an award that recognizes the best offensive player at each position in both leagues. It is voted on by managers and coaches around baseball.

      Will he be back with the club in 2026? Let us know what you think in the comments!

      Matthew Lenz

      While the Chicago Cubs as a team didn't bring home any postseason hardware, one of their players may need to make room on their mantles for an individual award.

      The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWA) announced its award finalists on Monday, including Case Horton as a Rookie of the Year finalist.

      Horton, who debuted on May 10th against the New York Mets at Citi Field, threw 118 innings across 23 appearances (22 starts). His 2.67 ERA was truly elite, though a still solid 3.58 FIP suggests maybe some regression in the future. He posted a lowly 13.4% with a respectable 6.9% walk rate but a low 20.4% strikeout rate. While his fastball had a Run Value of 7 in 2025, his secondary offerings were some of the most effective in baseball. Opponents batted .176, .115, and .196 against his sweeper, change up, and curve ball, respectively. Moreover, only four extra base hits were hit off of his change-up and curve - none of which were long balls.

      Do you think he will win the award? Let us know in the comments!

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