Chicago Cubs Pitchers of the Month: April 2026

[Andrew Wright]

Image courtesy of © Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

After a slow 7-9 start to the season, the Chicago Cubs bounced back in a major way. The North Siders won 12 of their next 15 games and headed into May with a 19-12 record. All of the focus from March & April was on the Cubs offense, as it ranked near the top of the league in almost every major category.

What didn't get a ton of recognition, though, was a Chicago pitching staff that felt like it lost another member with every passing day. Manager Craig Counsell and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy deserve quite the praise for getting the staff through an early stretch of the season that included games against the Phillies, Dodgers and Padres.

While contributions from the entire rotation and bullpen led the Cubs to seven games over .500, the four pitchers below did the best work through the first 31 games of the season.

Ranking Cubs' Best Pitchers in April

Honorable Mention: Riley Martin

Stats: 8 G, 2.16 ERA, 8.1 IP, 2 BB, 10K

Martin was activated to make his MLB debut in early April, and he impressed in doing so. He quickly turned into a high-leverage reliever for Counsell, and he made the most of each opportunity. His most impressive work may have very well been getting out of a bases-loaded jam against the Phillies in the middle of the Cubs' big winning streak. Unfortunately for Martin, he's suffered an injury and is currently one of 12 Chicago pitchers on the injured list. He will certainly be a welcome addition when he returns to the staff.

#3: Edward Cabrera

Stats: 6 GS, 3.06 ERA, 35.1 IP, 12 BB, 29 K

Cabrera was the big offseason acquisition for Chicago in the offseason. He was acquired from the Miami Marlins in exchange for then-top prospect Owen Caissie and others. Though Cabrera has been a bit shaky of late, his 3.06 ERA is the second-best for a Cubs' starter so far this season, trailing only behind our No. 1 pitcher of the month. Cabrera's advanced aren't quite as positive as his surface-level results, so that'll be something to keep an eye on in the month of May.

#2: Ben Brown

Stats: 10 G, 1.99 ERA, 22.2 IP, 7 BB, 22 K

What a world we live in where an argument could be made that Ben Brown has been the best pitchers for the Cubs through the first month-plus of the year. The beleaguered right-hander has found success with a newly added sinker and added fastball velocity this season. Last season, Brown's fastball averaged 95.8 mph, but this year that number is back up to 96.5 mph. Opponents are hitting just .210 against Brown overall, and just .135 against his knuckle curve. His ability to provide length out of the bullpen during the current stretch with numerous injured pitchers has been instrumental to Chicago's early season success.

#1: Shota Imanaga

Stats: 6 GS, 2.88 ERA, 34. 1 IP, 9 BB, 38 K

We all remember how poorly Imanaga pitched in the second half and the postseason in 2025. Those struggles nearly led to him not even being a part of the Cubs' roster in 2026. It is certainly a good thing that the front office (sort of) still believed in Imanaga's ability, because he's been huge to the 19-12 start. Much like the aforementioned Brown, Imanaga's fastball velocity is up from last season, a major reason for his success. Batters are hitting a lousy .171 against Imanaga this season, a number that would be the lowest of his MLB career if it were to hold up.

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