Chicago Cubs News

Vidal Bruján • SS • Cubs

Vidal Brujan Could Start On Injured List

Chicago Cubs infielder Vidal Brujan (elbow) is dealing with a right-elbow injury after banging it on the outfield wall while trying to make a catch in Cactus League action over the weekend. The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma reports that Brujan could start the year on the injured list. In his first camp with the Cubs, the 27-year-old Dominican hit just .222 (8-for-36) with a homer, double, triple, three RBI, five stolen bases and five runs scored in 16 spring training games. When healthy, he figures to serve as a utility infielder across the diamond for the Cubs, limiting his fantasy appeal to basically NL-only leagues. In his four major-league seasons to this point with the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, Brujan has struggled at the plate, slashing .189/.261/.270 with a .531 OPS, five homers, 40 RBI and 14 steals in 201 games played.

21 hours ago

Ben Brown • RP • Cubs

Ben Brown To Open As Cubs Fifth Starter

Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown will open the 2025 season as the team's fifth starter, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. Brown will be afforded a rotation spot to open the season after Javier Assad (oblique) was injured in spring training. The 25-year-old appeared in relief in the season opener in Tokyo, Japan, last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was hit with a loss after giving up three runs (two earned) over 2 2/3 innings. Brown didn't fare too well in spring training, either, posting a 6.75 ERA with 13 hits allowed (one homer), one walk and nine strikeouts in eight innings over three Cactus League outings (two starts). He held his own in his rookie season in 2024 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB in 15 outings (eight starts) before a neck injury cut his season short. There's some intriguing swing and miss to Brown's arsenal, particularly his knuckle-curve, making him worth a dart throw in deep-mixed leagues for depth.

21 hours ago

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner To Be Ready For Opening Day

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic notes that Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Hoerner has been recovering from surgery for his flexor tendon since last October, holding him to only two Cactus League appearances this spring. The 27-year-old played in his first outings over the weekend, going 1-for-6 with a single. He's hit just 26 home runs over the prior three seasons combined but has been an excellent source of batting average and steals when healthy. Additionally, he's struck out 12.1% of the time or less since 2022. The former first-round pick hit 35 doubles in 2024 -- the highest mark of his six-year career.

2 days ago

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Back In Spring Lineup On Friday

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) is starting at second base and is batting second in the team's Cactus League game on Friday against the San Diego Padres. Hoerner continues to recover from flexor-tendon surgery last October, which kept him from appearing in the season-opening, two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hoerner will be in the lineup on Friday, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready for the U.S. opener next Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. When fully healthy, the 27-year-old will resume duties as the team's regular second baseman in 2025 after the former first-rounder hit .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 31 steals in 151 games in 2024 in his sixth big-league season. He's not flashy by any means and doesn't have much power, but he's consistent, puts the ball in play and has averaged 31 steals the last three years.

4 days ago

Eli Morgan • RP • Cubs

Eli Morgan Sent To Triple-A

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Eli Morgan has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. The right-hander was part of the team that traveled for the Tokyo series. Morgan tossed 1.1 scoreless innings during the first game of that series. However, it doesn't appear that Morgan is going to be part of the bullpen for the domestic Opening Day next week. This is a bit of a surprising move given Morgan is coming off his best season in 2024. He posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 34/11 K/BB ratio across 32 appearances with the Cleveland Guardians last season. He figures to pitch in Chicago at some point this summer, but is unlikely to have fantasy value as a middle reliever.

5 days ago

Jordan Wicks • SP • Cubs

Jordan Wicks Optioned To Minors

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. The left-hander was included on the roster that traveled for the Tokyo series. However, Wicks doesn't appear to have made the domestic Opening Day roster. Wicks showed flashes of potential last season, but finished with a 5.48 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 11 games (10 starts) with the Cubs last season. He figures to be one of the first pitchers recalled if the Cubs need a starter at some point this season. Wicks being optioned means Colin Rea should be locked into the fifth starter role in Chicago.

5 days ago

Kyle Tucker • RF • Cubs

Kyle Tucker Goes Hitless In Monday Tokyo Series Opener

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker did not have his first regular-season game with his new team go as planned. Batting third, the 28-year-old went 0-for-4 in the Tokyo Series Game 1 4-1 loss to the Dodgers. Tucker's poor start with the Cubs started before Monday, as he was slashing just .043/.233/.174 in 30 spring plate appearances. Fantasy managers should not put too much emphasis on numbers from such a small sample size, particularly for players with Tucker's track record. He has proven to be a five-category, first-round caliber player throughout his career. Despite missing a good chunk of the 2024 season with a shin injury, Tucker slashed .289/.408/.585 with 23 home runs, 56 runs scored, 49 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 339 plate appearances. Fantasy managers still to draft should not shy away from Tucker as a top-tier fantasy pick.

7 days ago

Ben Brown • RP • Cubs

Ben Brown Strikes Out Five In Loss

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown was the first arm out of the bullpen for manager Craig Counsell in the team's 4-1 loss against the Dodgers in Tokyo on Tuesday morning. While the young righty took the loss by giving up three runs (two earned) in 2 2/3 innings, he also showed why the Cubs are high on him by striking out five, including getting Shohei Ohtani swinging to end the sixth inning with a runner in scoring position. The fact that Brown threw 65 pitches even with plenty of options available behind him in the bullpen seems to indicate that the Cubs plan on using him as their fifth starter to begin the season after placing Javier Assad (oblique) on the injured list.

Mar 18

Shota Imanaga • SP • Cubs

Shota Imanaga Shines In Tuesday's Start

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga earned a no-decision in his first start of 2025, but he held the powerful Dodgers' lineup hitless for four innings. He issued a pair of back-to-back walks to start the second inning and two more in the fourth inning but was able to avoid any damage. He struck out Teoscar Hernandez for the first strikeout of the MLB season and finished with two strikeouts on the day. He ended up throwing 69 pitches to get through four innings, so he'll need to improve his efficiency and cut down on walks going forward to go deeper into games. Aside from that, though, the 31-year-old lefty looked great in his first start of his second MLB season and will look to anchor the Cubs rotation once again this season. The Cubs start the stateside part of their schedule Thursday, March 27, with a four-game set in Arizona. The team has not announced its plans yet, but Imanaga will likely get his second start in that series.

Mar 18

Javier Assad • SP • Cubs

Javier Assad Officially Placed On 15-Day Injured List

The Chicago Cubs officially placed right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Monday before their season-opening, two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week. In additional moves, the Cubs optioned right-hander Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa and designated right-hander Keegan Thompson for assignment. Assad suffered a mild left-oblique strain early in spring training and didn't have enough time to get ready for the Tokyo Series, but he could be ready in early April if he can avoid any setbacks as he gets ramped back up. However, by that time, the Cubs could just use him as a long reliever out of the bullpen. The 27-year-old went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124 strikeouts in 147 innings over 29 starts in 2024 in his first full year as a starter. Assad could take another step forward in 2025, but his lack of strikeout upside doesn't make him very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues.

Mar 18

Matt Shaw • 2B • Cubs

Matt Shaw Added To Major-League Roster

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw was officially added to the Cubs' 40-man roster and 26-man roster prior to the club's first game in Tokyo, Japan. This doesn't come as a shock, as the team announced last week that he would be making the Opening Day roster. Shaw is one of the game's top prospects, as he slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 steals in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. He also showed off excellent plate discipline with an 11.9% walk rate and 18.2% strikeout rate. His profile looks very nice for fantasy, as he has 20/20 upside if everything breaks right for him in his rookie year.

Mar 18

Kevin Alcántara • RF • Cubs

Kevin Alcantara Sent To Triple-A Iowa

The Chicago Cubs have optioned outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa. Alcantara was in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will instead begin his season at the top level of the minor leagues. Last season, the 22-year-old made his MLB debut. Across a short three-game stint, the outfielder tallied just one hit. Earlier in the season, he appeared in 76 contests at the Double-A level and posted a .271/.342/.409 line with 13 doubles and nine long balls. He was then promoted to Triple-A, where he held an impressive .292/.378/.492 slash line with eight doubles and five long balls across his first 35 games at that level. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor his progress, as he should return to the majors when the Cubs need additional depth in their outfield. During the start of the regular season, Vidal Brujan will operate as the depth outfielder.

Mar 17

Keegan Thompson • RP • Cubs

Keegan Thompson Will Not Travel With Club For Tokyo Series

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Keegan Thompson will not be among the 31 players included in the team's travel roster for the Tokyo Series coming up in Japan. The righty had allowed three earned runs in only four-and-two-thirds innings pitched so far this spring, with all three runs coming via solo home runs. Unfortunately for Thompson, this likely means the Cubs will DFA the former third-round draft pick before Opening Day. Whether he's with the Cubs or another team in 2025, he pitched fairly well between the minors and majors last season, recording a 2.67 ERA, 1.22 ERA, and a 10.68 K/9 over 30 1/3 innings pitched with the Cubs. His problem over the years has been command, with a 14.2 percent walk rate resulting in a 14.2 percent K-BB%, which would look very good if he could get closer to the 8.2 percent league average walk rate. Regardless, until we see him in the majors again and pitching meaningful innings, the 29-year-old will be off the fantasy radar.

Mar 12

Kevin Alcántara • RF • Cubs

Kevin Alcantara Not Traveling To Tokyo

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara will not travel with the team to Tokyo. While the 22-year-old has not been officially optioned to Triple-A, this suggests he will likely open the 2025 campaign in the minor leagues. Alcantara is one of the top bats in the Chicago system. Last season, he made his brief MLB debut. Across three contests, he tallied just one hit. He spent most of his campaign with Double-A and held a strong .271/.342/.409 slash line with 13 doubles and nine home runs. Across 35 games with Triple-A Iowa, Alcantara held a stellar .292/.378/.469 line with eight doubles and five long balls. While Alcantara has flashed elite upside in the upper levels of the minor leagues, he will have trouble finding time in the majors given the depth in the Chicago outfield. He is worth monitoring in deeper NL-only formats but should not be targeted in any drafts.

Mar 11

Matt Shaw • 2B • Cubs

Matt Shaw Will Travel To Japan

Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) will travel with the team to Tokyo, Japan, for the season-opening two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18 and 19, according to manager Craig Counsell. Shaw suffered a mild oblique injury early in camp but has returned to Cactus League action and should start for the Cubbies at third base on March 18. The 23-year-old has played in four spring training games and has gone only 2-for-12 with two RBI and a run scored, but the most important thing is that he's healthy and ready to go for the start of the 2025 regular season. Despite having never played in a big-league game, Shaw should be relevant in all fantasy leagues right away after hitting .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 steals at Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. MLB Pipeline has Shaw ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect this year.

Mar 11

Justin Steele • SP • Cubs

Justin Steele Making Spring Start On Tuesday

Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (illness) will make the Cactus League start on Tuesday versus the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Flu-like symptoms caused Steele to be scratched from his last scheduled spring start last Thursday, but the 29-year-old southpaw is feeling better now. After Tuesday's Cactus League outing, Steele's next start will come on March 19 in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the season-opening two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Coming into Tuesday's start, he has allowed two earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking none and fanning seven in five innings in his two spring training starts. Steele is a fine target as a No. 3 fantasy starting pitcher in season-long leagues, but he won't be a popular DFS target on March 19 against the defending World Series champions.

Mar 11

Cade Horton • SP • Cubs

Cade Horton Makes Spring Debut

Chicago Cubs starting pitching prospect Cade Horton (shoulder) made his spring debut on Saturday afternoon. Horton tossed one inning of one-run ball. He allowed one hit (a home run) and tallied one punchout. The 23-year-old missed the entire second half of the 2024 season due to a Grade 2 right subscapularis strain. The Cubs were slowly increasing his workload during camp. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he may be cleared to throw multiple innings in his next spring outing. Before his injury last summer, Horton tossed 16 1/3 innings at Double-A to the tune of a strong 1.10 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He tallied 18 punchouts with just two free passes. He then made his Triple-A debut and allowed 15 earned runs across 18 innings. Fantasy managers should expect Horton to open the season at Triple-A and compete for an MLB debut later in the summer.

Mar 10

Yency Almonte • RP • Cubs

Yency Almonte Could Contend For Bullpen Role

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Yency Almonte (shoulder) could contend for a role in the bullpen during the 2025 season. Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs signed Almonte to a minor-league contract. Almonte at first elected free agency but returned to his former club. The Cubs initially acquired Almonte in the Michael Busch trade last winter. The Cubs viewed Almonte as an integral piece of their bullpen. The 30-year-old held a 3.45 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP across his first 15 2/3 innings with the Cubs before being shut down with a shoulder injury. Almonte is still recovering from this injury and will likely open the 2025 season in Triple-A as he increases his workload. However, fantasy managers should expect Almonte to be viewed as one of the top options in the system when the Cubs need additional bullpen depth. When he does return to the majors, he could have value in deeper holds leagues as he tallied six in just 17 appearances last summer.

Mar 10

Kyle Tucker • RF • Cubs

Kyle Tucker Hits First Cactus League Home Run

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker finally collected his first hit of the spring season on Sunday, a solo home run in the third inning of an 8-6 Cactus League loss to the Giants. The left-handed hitter flied out in his only other at-bat during the contest. That brings his spring batting average to .048, now 1-for-21 with five walks and seven strikeouts. No need to panic, and it should not depress his outlook for the season, but managers who already drafted or were considering drafting the 3x All-Star would love to see him get on a roll as we head towards Opening Day. ATC projections foresee a 30/20 season for the 28-year-old, and he's worthy of a top 10 fantasy draft pick.

Mar 10

Nicky Lopez • 2B • Cubs

Nicky Lopez Reassigned To Minors

Chicago Cubs infielder Nicky Lopez was part of a handful of cuts made by the organization this weekend. The most shocking was probably Lopez who was expected to make the 28-man roster for the season-opener in Japan. Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs and was competing for a utility infielder spot on the roster. Unfortunately, Lopez wasn't able to beat out Gage Workman or Vidal Brujan for one of those final spots on the roster. The expectation is that Lopez is going to be released, so that he could attempt to catch on elsewhere.

Mar 9

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