Latest Cubs injuries and transactions

March 31st, 2026

This page will be updated throughout the year with all the latest Cubs injury news and transactions.

LATEST INJURIES

OF
Injury: Right knee
IL date: March 25 (10-day IL, retroactive to March 22)
Expected return: April
Status: Injured March 14 during Classic. Has advanced to on-field BP, plus outfield work and baserunning. Added sliding in workout on March 31. Scheduled for Minor League rehab (affiliate and duration TBD) during Cubs' upcoming road trip. (updated: March 31) More >>

LHP
Injury: Left forearm (radial nerve irritation)
IL date: March 25 (15-day IL, retroactive to March 22)
Expected return: April
Status: Resumed playing catch on March 3 after 10-day shutdown. Moved back to mound March 16. Could return to games by mid-April. (updated March 25)

RHP
Injury: Right flexor strain
IL date: March 25 (15-day IL, retroactive to March 22)
Expected return: April
Status: Shut down from throwing on March 8. Could be cleared to resume playing catch around April 1, per manager Craig Counsell. (updated March 25)

LHP
Injury: Left elbow
IL date: March 25 (60-day IL)
Expected return: First half of 2026
Status: Medically cleared Feb. 28 by Dr. Keith Meister, who performed Steele's elbow surgery (left ulnar collateral ligament revision repair) on April 18, 2025. Has advanced to facing hitters in live BP sessions. (updated March 25)

1B
Injury: Right knee
IL date: March 24 (60-day IL)
Expected return: TBD
Status: Underwent a right patellar tendon debridement on Feb. 24. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Austin could miss "months" while recovering. (updated March 24) More >>

RHP
Injury: Right elbow surgery
IL date: March 1 (60-day IL)
Expected return: 2027
Status: Underwent surgery to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon last October. Signed a two-year deal with Chicago on Feb. 16 with an eye toward contributing in 2027. (updated March 2) More >>

LATEST TRANSACTIONS

March 28
• RHP : Cleared waivers, sent outright to Triple-A Iowa

March 25
• OF : Placed on 10-day injured list (right knee sprain), retroactive to March 22
• RHP : Placed on 15-day injured list (right elbow strain), retroactive to March 22
• LHP : Placed on 15-day injured list (left forearm inflammation), retroactive to March 22
• LHP : Placed on 60-day injured list (left elbow)
• OF : Contract selected
• INF : Contract selected
• RHP : Designated for assignment

March 24
• RHP : Optioned to Triple-A Iowa
• OF : Optioned to Triple-A Iowa
• 1B : Placed on 60-day injured list with right knee injury
• OF : Contracted selected

March 22
• 1B : Returned to Minor League camp
• RHP : Returned to Minor League camp
• RHP: : Returned to Minor League camp