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You’re probably aware by now: The Cubs are dealing with a lot of pitching injuries.
It started with losing budding ace Cade Horton for the season, has extended into the bullpen and now includes a second stint on the injured list for Opening Day starter and 2025 All-Star Matthew Boyd.
The club has used 24 pitchers this season, 11 of whom were not on the active roster on Opening Day.
Yet, the Cubs entered Thursday at 27-16, leading the NL Central and among the best teams in baseball. They also had MLB’s 11th-best staff ERA at 3.86, including the eighth-best ERA from starters (3.86).
Whether such successful scrambling is sustainable will be worth watching all year. But just 43 games in, the continued blows have forced speculation on how the Cubs might build their pitching staff for the rest of 2026. So, let’s take stock of what’s actually out there for the North Siders.
The now
Colin Rea, expected to be a swing piece the past two seasons, has stepped into the rotation twice due to injuries. He’s not flashy, and his 3.95 ERA in 2025 may be an outlier. But the 35-year-old has been sturdy and gone at least five innings in five of nine appearances.
Javier Assad also joined the rotation mix, delivering two strong outings around an ugly one. Assad has delivered two scoreless relief appearances in May and may continue to serve as a long reliever. But with Boyd back on the IL, the rotation spot has gone to perhaps the biggest X-factor for Cubs pitching this year.
Ben Brown had struggled in his career when starting (5.08 ERA). In the offseason, he worked on adding a sinker (taught by Clay Holmes), then started the year in the bullpen -- to great success. He had a 2.10 ERA in 12 games with opponents batting just .198.
Brown then rewarded the Cubs’ decision to bump him into the rotation, tossing four hitless innings against the Rangers on Friday. The potential was always visible with Brown, and if the sinker has meaningfully changed his arsenal, Chicago could be sitting on an under-the-radar controllable starter.
Readily available
Obviously, the Cubs will hope the group of Rea, Brown, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera and Jameson Taillon can maintain not only performance but also health. But the club must prepare for that to change. Cabrera, for one, already has a lengthy injury history.
The problem? There just isn’t much organizational depth behind the current big league rotation.
Vince Velasquez, now 33 years old, is perhaps the only realistic and healthy option at Triple-A Iowa. He made one appearance in MLB this year (2 1/3 scoreless innings April 25 against the Dodgers) and has a 4.95 ERA in five games with Iowa.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has found past success in overlooked trades (see: Drew Pomeranz in 2025), so maybe there’s something out there that no one is thinking about. But for now, the Cubs are probably in more of a holding pattern for our next group.
Who’s coming back?
Justin Steele experienced a setback in his rehab from left elbow surgery, and he should not be counted on anytime soon, even if he still might return this year. Boyd underwent surgery on his meniscus and will likely miss more than a month. Top prospect Jaxon Wiggins, a strong candidate to debut in MLB this year, remains on the injured list at Iowa with right elbow inflammation.
The lone piece of positive news is that Jordan Wicks, the 2021 first-rounder with a career 5.21 ERA in MLB, is in the middle of a rehab assignment.
All of those names should be back at some point. How long can the Cubs wait?
What else?
Pitching injuries and underperformance around MLB this season have accelerated speculation about trade season. But it’s likely way too early to expect anything of significance.
However, it’s never too early to think about the options. And there may be many appealing ones for the Cubs.
If the Mets can’t turn it around, Freddy Peralta could make a lot of sense, especially considering his expiring contract and his past work with manager Craig Counsell. Or perhaps New York’s Clay Holmes and his high ground-ball rate would fit with an elite defense.
The Giants may eventually be ready to sell after dealing Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey to the Guardians. Veteran lefty Robbie Ray (3.04 ERA) is an impending free agent. Maybe there’s a blockbuster to be had with ace Logan Webb, though he’s on the IL with knee bursitis, and his contract running through 2028 would indicate a very high price.
It may also be worth keeping an eye on the Twins’ Joe Ryan, the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara, the Red Sox’s Sonny Gray or maybe even the Nationals’ Foster Griffin.
Ultimately, a lot can change before the Trade Deadline on Aug. 3. The Cubs’ pitching is reeling, and they’ll almost certainly explore the chance to add to the staff this season. It’s just not quite time to hit the panic button.