Blab News
Cubs Pitching Crisis Deepens as Injuries Mount and Trade for David Peterson Adds Uncertainty
The Chicago Cubs’ 2026 campaign has been derailed by a string of injuries to starting pitchers, prompting a trade with the Mets for left‑hander David Peterson and raising doubts about the rotation’s ability to keep the playoff race alive.
On Wednesday, the Cubs placed Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown on the injured list, bumping the number of sidelined starters to six. Cabrera, who had already spent 15 days on the IL earlier in the season, was injured in the fifth inning of a game against the Mets when a ground ball forced him to split his legs and suffer pain in his left hamstring and adductor. Brown, who had been effective with a sinker that averages 96.4 mph, was placed on the IL with a neck strain that may be related to a previous osteoma that caused him to miss the end of the 2024 season. The injury list also now includes Justin Steele, who suffered a setback in late April while rehabbing from a second Tommy John surgery. President of baseball operations Jeb Hoyer said that Steele is unlikely to return as a starter this season and may only contribute in relief in short bursts.
The Cubs’ rotation has struggled to produce quality starts. According to the source, the team’s projected WAR for the rotation is 20th in the league, with a projected 4.03 ERA and a 4.15 FIP. In reality, the Cubs are 26th in starting‑pitcher WAR (2.9) with a combined 4.64 ERA and a 4.79 FIP. The bullpen has posted a negative WAR of –0.3, a 3.82 ERA and a 4.62 FIP. To address the shortage, the Cubs traded with the Mets for 2025 All‑Star left‑hander David Peterson in exchange for 22‑year‑old first‑baseman Cole Mathis. Peterson, who was named to the 2025 All‑Star Game, has posted a 3.06 ERA in the first half of 2025 but has struggled in the second half, allowing a 6.34 ERA. In 2026, he has a 6.09 ERA in the first half. The trade adds a pitcher who has been a change‑of‑scenery for the Cubs but whose recent performance has been uneven. The Cubs’ remaining starters include Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea, Javier Assad and Matthew Boyd. Imanaga has made 16 starts, 92 innings, a 4.40 ERA and a 4.86 FIP. Rea has 12 starts and four relief appearances, 79 ⅓ innings, a 4.99 ERA and a 4.83 FIP. Assad has six starts and six relief appearances, 49 innings, a 4.04 ERA and a 4.74 FIP. Boyd, who has been activated after a knee injury, has 24 innings, a 6.00 ERA and a 2.35 FIP.
The Cubs’ record has improved from 34–34 on June 10 to a 9‑win stretch in the last 12 games, including wins over the Rockies, Giants, Blue Jays and Mets. They are tied for second in the NL Central and the Wild‑Card standings, seven games behind the Brewers and half a game ahead of the Padres. The Marlins, Nationals, Diamondbacks and Pirates are all within three games. The injury crisis leaves the Cubs with little certainty about their pitching depth. The front office has indicated that the team will need to acquire additional starters before the August 3 trade deadline. Potential targets mentioned in the source include Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, Sonny Gray, Reid Detmers, Sandy Alcantara, Robbie Ray and Freddy Peralta.
The Cubs will continue to monitor the recovery of injured pitchers, evaluate the performance of Peterson, and consider trade options as the trade deadline approaches. The outcome of these moves will determine whether the Cubs can maintain their playoff contention or must shift focus to rebuilding.
On Wednesday, the Cubs placed Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown on the injured list, bumping the number of sidelined starters to six. Cabrera, who had already spent 15 days on the IL earlier in the season, was injured in the fifth inning of a game against the Mets when a ground ball forced him to split his legs and suffer pain in his left hamstring and adductor. Brown, who had been effective with a sinker that averages 96.4 mph, was placed on the IL with a neck strain that may be related to a previous osteoma that caused him to miss the end of the 2024 season. The injury list also now includes Justin Steele, who suffered a setback in late April while rehabbing from a second Tommy John surgery. President of baseball operations Jeb Hoyer said that Steele is unlikely to return as a starter this season and may only contribute in relief in short bursts.
The Cubs’ rotation has struggled to produce quality starts. According to the source, the team’s projected WAR for the rotation is 20th in the league, with a projected 4.03 ERA and a 4.15 FIP. In reality, the Cubs are 26th in starting‑pitcher WAR (2.9) with a combined 4.64 ERA and a 4.79 FIP. The bullpen has posted a negative WAR of –0.3, a 3.82 ERA and a 4.62 FIP. To address the shortage, the Cubs traded with the Mets for 2025 All‑Star left‑hander David Peterson in exchange for 22‑year‑old first‑baseman Cole Mathis. Peterson, who was named to the 2025 All‑Star Game, has posted a 3.06 ERA in the first half of 2025 but has struggled in the second half, allowing a 6.34 ERA. In 2026, he has a 6.09 ERA in the first half. The trade adds a pitcher who has been a change‑of‑scenery for the Cubs but whose recent performance has been uneven. The Cubs’ remaining starters include Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea, Javier Assad and Matthew Boyd. Imanaga has made 16 starts, 92 innings, a 4.40 ERA and a 4.86 FIP. Rea has 12 starts and four relief appearances, 79 ⅓ innings, a 4.99 ERA and a 4.83 FIP. Assad has six starts and six relief appearances, 49 innings, a 4.04 ERA and a 4.74 FIP. Boyd, who has been activated after a knee injury, has 24 innings, a 6.00 ERA and a 2.35 FIP.
The Cubs’ record has improved from 34–34 on June 10 to a 9‑win stretch in the last 12 games, including wins over the Rockies, Giants, Blue Jays and Mets. They are tied for second in the NL Central and the Wild‑Card standings, seven games behind the Brewers and half a game ahead of the Padres. The Marlins, Nationals, Diamondbacks and Pirates are all within three games. The injury crisis leaves the Cubs with little certainty about their pitching depth. The front office has indicated that the team will need to acquire additional starters before the August 3 trade deadline. Potential targets mentioned in the source include Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, Sonny Gray, Reid Detmers, Sandy Alcantara, Robbie Ray and Freddy Peralta.
The Cubs will continue to monitor the recovery of injured pitchers, evaluate the performance of Peterson, and consider trade options as the trade deadline approaches. The outcome of these moves will determine whether the Cubs can maintain their playoff contention or must shift focus to rebuilding.
