Chicago Cubs News

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Moisés Ballesteros • C • Cubs

Moises Ballesteros is Mashing his Way into Must-Have Catcher Territory

Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros is quickly making a name for himself with the way he has been swinging the bat. Through 35 games this season, Ballesteros is slashing .277/.340/.521 with six home runs, 19 RBI, and 10 walks. He has fallen into a cold spell recently, going 3-for-36 over the last two weeks. Despite some struggles, Ballesteros is worth rostering in deep leagues at the minimum. He offers offensive upside at the plate that other catchers can't match. Fantasy managers might have to go through some growing pains, but his overall upside will be worth it.

4 hours ago

Shota Imanaga • SP • Cubs

Shota Imanaga Continues Strong Season With 10-Strikeout Performance

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga continued his masterful 2026 season in Thursday's 8-3 victory over the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field to win his fourth game of the season. Imanaga allowed just one earned run on six hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out 10 in six innings of work. It was the second time this year that he reached double-digit strikeouts. With the strong effort against the Reds on Thursday, the 32-year-old Japanese native is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA (2.82 FIP), a 0.93 WHIP, and a 53:13 K:BB in 47 1/3 innings pitched. The only run that Imanaga allowed in the outing was a solo shot by infielder Sal Stewart, who has been one of the best all-around hitters in the majors so far in 2026. Imanaga will have a difficult test his next time out against the Atlanta Braves on the road, but he's become a must-start for fantasy managers with the way he's been pitching so far this year.

2 days ago

Ben Brown • SP • Cubs

Ben Brown to Start on Friday

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown is scheduled to make the start against the Texas Rangers on Friday, according to Taylor McGregor. Given all the injuries to this pitching staff, Brown will need to move from his bullpen role and into the rotation. Brown has been excellent with a 2.10 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 24/8 K/BB ratio across 12 appearances in the bullpen this season. He has been fantastic in a multi-inning role, but the Cubs need him to step up into the rotation now. The right-hander has already pitched twice this week, so it seems unlikely that he'll pitch deep into Friday's game. He'll likely pitch a few innings, but probably won't stay in the game long enough to warrant looking at him as a streaming option.

2 days ago

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd has Successful Knee Surgery, Could Miss Around a Month

Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) had a successful partial left-knee menisectomy on Thursday, according to the team. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that there's no official timetable for Boyd yet, but he could return in the range of around a "month or so." The Cubs placed the veteran left-hander on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after it was announced he needed a full repair of his meniscus. It's unclear as of now who will take Boyd's spot in Chicago's starting rotation, but right-handers Javier Assad and Ben Brown, and lefty Jordan Wicks (elbow) are all options. None of them are particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes outside of deeper leagues for desperate managers in need of starting depth. Boyd is having a rough go of it so far in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. He's 2-1 to begin the season with a 6.00 ERA, although his 2.39 FIP suggests he's been dealt some bad luck. Boyd also has a 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and only six walks in 24 innings pitched over his five starts. He's currently rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd Needs Meniscus Surgery, Going on 15-Day Injured List

The Chicago Cubs announced on Wednesday that they placed left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 4) with a left-knee meniscus injury that will require surgery. The team selected right-hander Trent Thornton's contract from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Boyd's timetable for a return is unknown right now, but in a best-case scenario, he probably will not be ready to return to Chicago's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. It's yet another injury blow to the Cubs' pitching staff, and it's unclear right now who will take Boyd's spot in the rotation. Right-handers Ben Brown and Javier Assad are two options out of the bullpen, as is left-hander Jordan Wicks (elbow) whenever he's ready to return from his IL stint. The 35-year-old Boyd will be dumped in a lot of redraft leagues with this news, especially since he currently has an unsightly 6.00 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 24 innings over his five starts so far in 2026. He's currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Recovers From Neck Injury, Returns to Sunday's Lineup

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (neck) returned to the team's starting lineup on Sunday for the series finale at Wrigley Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Merrill Kelly, according to MLB.com. Hoerner missed Saturday's game against Arizona after being pulled from Friday's game early with tightness on the left side of his neck. The injury obviously wasn't too serious, as the star second baseman is back in the lineup after missing just one game. When active, Hoerner has been a must-start in all traditional fantasy baseball lineups as Chicago's table-setter. The 28-year-old former 24th overall pick in 2018 out of Stanford has always been a high-end contact hitter, but he's doing more in 2026, as he entered Sunday's game with a .297/.374/.461 slash line, .835 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, 17 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his 32 games played.

6 days ago

Daniel Palencia • RP • Cubs

Cubs Reinstate Daniel Palencia From the Injured List on Sunday

The Chicago Cubs reinstated right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) from the 15-day injured list and designated pitcher Yacksel Rios for assignment in a corresponding move on Sunday before their series finale against the D-backs, according to Taylor McGregor of the Marquee Sports Network. Palencia was initially expected to return for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, but instead, the Cubs sent him on a short minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler threw two-thirds of an inning with Iowa on Friday and is now back in Chicago's big-league bullpen. The Cubs could decide to ease Palencia back in after he recovered from a lat strain, but there's no question that he will be the team's primary closer now that he's healthy. Before his injury, Palencia had one save and five strikeouts in five shutout innings, and he had a career-high 22 saves for the team in 2025. Pick him up immediately if he's available in your fantasy league. He's rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues.

7 days ago

Daniel Palencia • RP • Cubs

Daniel Palencia Expected to be Activated in a Few Days

Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) is back from his minor-league rehab assignment and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list in the next few days, according to Taylor McGregor of the Marquee Sports Network. Palencia tossed two-thirds of an inning with a strikeout in a scoreless rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, and now he's ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen for the rest of their series at Wrigley Field this weekend versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs could ease the 26-year-old Venezuelan back into the closer's role, but he will eventually take over primary closing duties for the Cubs again now that he's recovered from his lat strain. Palencia had tossed five scoreless innings with a save this year before his injury, and he recorded a career-best 22 saves while striking out 61 in 52 2/3 regular-season innings in his third year in the league in 2025. He should be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues as Chicago's primary ninth-inning arm.

May 2

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Out on Saturday Due to Neck Injury

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (neck) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest at Wrigley Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to MLB.com. Hoerner was forced from Friday's series opener against Arizona with neck tightness. Fantasy managers should consider Hoerner to be day-to-day for now and check back on Sunday to see if he's good to go for the series finale. Matt Shaw is getting the start at second base on Saturday and will hit eighth against D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson. Hoerner, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of Stanford, has been great through the first month of the 2026 campaign, slashing .297/.374/.461 with an .835 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 17 runs scored in 32 games across 147 plate appearances as the Cubs' table-setter. It doesn't appear that his injury is serious enough to require an injured-list stint, so hopefully he'll be back in Chicago's starting nine sooner rather than later.

May 2

Daniel Palencia • RP • Cubs

Daniel Palencia Goes Two-Thirds of an Inning in Rehab Outing

Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) made his first minor-league rehab appearance on Friday night with Triple-A Iowa and did not allow a run in two-thirds of an inning while allowing one hit and striking out one. The hard-throwing reliever hit 102 mph on the radar gun during the outing. The Cubs were considering activating him from the 15-day injured list for the start of their three-game weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, but they instead sent him for a rehab outing. After a solid performance at Iowa, Palencia may be activated before the end of the series versus Arizona this weekend. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler should be immediately scooped up off the waiver wire if he's available in your league, as he will return to primary closing duties in Chicago when he's back. Before his lat injury, Palencia had tossed five scoreless innings for the Cubbies with a save and five strikeouts. He's currently rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues.

May 2

Jacob Webb • RP • Cubs |

Jacob Webb • RP • Red Sox

Jacob Webb Notches Save on Friday, Emerging as Cubs' New Closer?

Chicago Cubs reliever Jacob Webb picked up his first save of the season on Friday, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his team's 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Across his first 12 2/3 innings of 2026, Webb has pitched to a 4.26 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts. With Cubs right-hander Daniel Palencia (lat) currently on the 15-day injured list due to a lat strain, Chicago has been mixing and matching in the ninth inning in recent weeks. Palencia made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, so he could be nearing a return to the big leagues. Still, Webb may have some short-term fantasy value for deeper-league fantasy managers in need of saves. Palencia had just one save in five appearances before hitting the injured list, so he's not necessarily a lock to see 100% of Chicago's save opportunities once he returns.

May 2

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Leaves Friday's Game Early With Neck Tightness

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (neck) left Friday's game early in the second inning against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field with neck tightness, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Before leaving the game, Hoerner doubled and scored a run for the Cubbies before being replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw. Although the 28-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be very serious, fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on his status as the team's series continues on Saturday and Sunday. For now, we'll consider Hoerner to be day-to-day. If he's forced to miss additional time because of his neck injury, Shaw and Nicky Lopez could split time at the keystone in the Windy City. Hoerner, who is in his eighth year with the Cubs in 2026, could easily be in the midst of a breakout season this year after coming into Friday's action with a .291/.370/.449 slash line, .819 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, 16 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his first 31 games. He's a must-start in traditional fantasy baseball leagues when he's in the starting lineup.

May 1

Daniel Palencia • RP • Cubs

Daniel Palencia Making a Rehab Appearance on Friday

Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) will make a minor-league rehab appearance on Friday with Triple-A Iowa, manager Craig Counsell told Andy Martinez. If Palencia looks good on Friday and doesn't suffer a setback with his lat, the Cubs could activate him from the 15-day injured list for the final two games of the series in Chicago this weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs said earlier this week that there was a chance Palencia would be reinstated from the IL on Friday. Although he might initially be eased into high-leverage situations when he returns to the Cubs' bullpen, the 26-year-old Venezuelan reliever should return to primary closing duties in Chicago sooner rather than later. Before his lat injury, Palencia threw five shutout innings with five strikeouts and one save. He broke out in 2205 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, a career-high 22 saves, and a 10.4 K/9 in 52 2/3 regular-season innings. Left-hander Hoby Milner picked up the team's last save on Wednesday, but righties Ben Brown and Phil Maton could see a save chance this weekend if Palencia is not ready to return. Palencia is rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues. If he's available in your league, now would be a good time to scoop him up.

May 1

Dansby Swanson • SS • Cubs

Dansby Swanson Back in Lineup for Friday's Series Opener

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (glute) is back in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Zac Gallen, according to MLB.com. Swanson is hitting ninth in the batting order. The 32-year-old veteran did not make the start in Wednesday's series finale against the San Diego Padres due to a left-glute cramp, but he's good to go on Friday after an off day on Thursday. Swansby does have six home runs on the year in 98 at-bats, but he's hitting just .214 (21-for-98) with 23 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 30 games played. The two-time All-Star won't have much DFS appeal batting out of the nine-hole, especially against a pitcher that he hasn't had much success against in his career. In 14 career at-bats versus Gallen, Swansby is hitting .214 with a .553 OPS. Swansby has started to turn things around at the plate of late, going 7-for-20 (.350) with a homer, eight RBI, three runs, a stolen base, and three multi-hit performances in his last six games.

May 1

Edward Cabrera • SP • Cubs

Edward Cabrera Showing Consistency With the Cubs in 2026

Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera has been fantastic with his new team in 2026, as he is (3-0) with a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings pitched. While the strikeout numbers are down for him compared to his career mark (25.5 percent strikeout rate), the whiff (27.5 percent) and chase rate (35.0 percent) remain solid, so the strikeouts should follow suit. Cabrera has allowed three earned runs or fewer in every one of his outings so far (six starts) while going at least five innings in each start. His next outing is scheduled at home on May 4 against the Cincinnati Reds, where he continues to be a must-start in all formats. Fantasy managers who invested in Cabrera in the middle rounds of their draft are seeing a solid return and should feel optimistic about the remainder of the 2026 season.

May 1

Dansby Swanson • SS • Cubs

Dansby Swanson Finding His Rhythm?

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is still hitting just .214 and usually bats near the bottom of the lineup in his 30 games this year. However, he continues to get on base and post excellent run-production numbers, and his average is starting to come around as well. Swanson has 23 RBI and 23 runs scored, which place him in the top 15 in the MLB in each category. Swanson also has six homers this season, five of which have come in his last 16 games, while he's batting .275 with a .433 wOBA over that span. He sat out Wednesday's game after cramping up and leaving Tuesday's contest early, but the injury isn't expected to be anything long-term, and he should be back in the lineup on Friday as the Cubs return to Wrigley to face the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Apr 30

Hoby Milner • RP • Cubs

Cubs Turn to Hoby Milner for Save on Wednesday

Chicago Cubs left-hander Hoby Milner picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, coming on to record the final out of his team's 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres. Milner has been effective out of the Chicago pen in the early-going of 2026, pitching to a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with five strikeouts across 15 innings pitched. With Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (lat) currently on the injured list due to a lat strain, Milner could be part of the group Cubs manager Craig Counsell relies upon for saves. However, Palencia could return to the mound as soon as Friday, which could mean Milner's chance to work in the ninth inning is short-lived. In leagues with daily moves or if Palencia's return ends up being delayed, Milner could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

Apr 29

Daniel Palencia • RP • Cubs

Daniel Palencia Could Return on Friday

Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) has made enough progress that the Cubs are considering activating him from the 15-day injured list on Friday for the start of a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. With Chicago's pitching staff decimated by injuries early in 2026, the Cubs could have Palencia return to their major-league bullpen without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. When active, the hard-throwing right-hander should immediately return to closing duties in Chicago, especially with Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) on the IL. The 26-year-old Venezuelan high-leverage reliever had a career-best 22 saves in 52 2/3 regular-season innings last year in his third year with the Cubs, and he had tossed five scoreless innings with a save and five strikeouts in five relief appearances for Chicago this year before injuring his lat. Pick Palencia up immediately if he's available in your league with his return on the horizon. Palencia is rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues.

Apr 29

Alex Bregman • 3B • Cubs |

Dansby Swanson • SS • Cubs

Alex Bregman Returns to Starting Lineup, Dansby Swanson Sitting Out

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (toe) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the hosting San Diego Padres and right-hander Matt Waldron, playing third base and batting third, according to MLB.com. Meanwhile, shortstop Dansby Swanson (glute) will sit this one out after leaving Tuesday's win early with glute cramps. Bregman fouled a ball off his toe in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he was held out of the starting lineup on Tuesday, although he did later enter the game as a pinch-hitter. Nico Hoerner will start at shortstop on Wednesday and bat leadoff, with Matt Shaw getting the start at second base. With an off day scheduled on Thursday, it seems likely that Swanson will return for Friday's series opener in Chicago against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bregman went 2-for-2 at the plate on Tuesday night after entering the game as a pinch-hitter, and he should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy formats against the knuckleballer Waldron.

Apr 29

Alex Bregman • 3B • Cubs

Alex Bregman Dealing With a Sore Toe

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (toe), who was not in the team's starting lineup for Tuesday's game in San Diego against the Padres, was out of the lineup due to a sore toe, manager Craig Counsell told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Bregman fouled a ball off his foot during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he was still available as a pinch-hitter off the bat and did exactly that on Tuesday after shortstop Dansby Swanson left the game early with a glute cramp. Bregman came off the bench in Tuesday night's 8-3 win to hit a two-out RBI single off lefty reliever Wandy Peralta before outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a three-run homer. Fantasy managers will want to check back soon to see if Bregman and Swanson are back in the starting nine for Wednesday's series finale at Petco Park against Padres right-handed knuckleballer Matt Waldron. In his first year with the Cubs, Bregman, who is in his 11th MLB season, has gone 31-for-121 (.256) with three home runs, 11 RBI, 10 runs scored, and a stolen base in 30 games played.

Apr 29

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