Chicago Cubs News

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Scott Kingery • 2B • Cubs

Cubs Sign Scott Kingery to Minor-League Deal

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent infielder Scott Kingery to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league spring training, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. Kingery played in 19 games with the Los Angeles Angels this past season in the big leagues for the first time since his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. He went 4-for-27 (.148) at the plate in Anaheim with a stolen base, 11 strikeouts, and three runs scored at the plate. The 31-year-old veteran will most likely serve as infield depth for the Cubbies next year if he remains in the organization, and Kingery is likely to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa. In 344 MLB games since his debut with Philly in 2018, Kingery has slashed .227/.278/.382 with 30 homers, 96 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Nineteen of his career long balls came in his second season in 2019.

2 days ago

Owen Caissie • RF • Cubs

Cubs Projecting Regular Playing Time for Owen Caissie

With outfielder Kyle Tucker expected to depart in free agency this offseason, the Chicago Cubs are projecting regular playing time for outfielder Owen Caissie, a consensus top-100 prospect whose name was prominently mentioned in trade talks last offseason, and again during the July 31 trade deadline. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger doesn't have anything left to prove at Triple-A Iowa after posting an .887 OPS and 277 strikeouts in almost 1,000 Triple-A plate appearances in the last two seasons. The Cubs want to see what they have in Caissie while letting him develop and improve at the big-league level. Caissie could be in a battle for regular playing time with fellow prospect Moises Ballesteros. In his first 12 major-league games in 2025, Caissie went 5-for-26 (.192) with a homer, four RBI, and 11 strikeouts. He has plenty of power upside, but the strikeouts are a concern.

2 days ago

Phil Maton • RP • Cubs

Phil Maton, Cubs Agree on Two-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Phil Maton and the Chicago Cubs agreed to an undisclosed two-year deal with a club option for a third year on Friday, a league source told Will Sammon of The Athletic. Daniel Palencia emerged as Chicago's primary closer by the end of the 2025 season, but Maton will no doubt be in the late-inning mix for the Cubs in 2026. The 32-year-old veteran spent the ninth year of his big-league career in 2025 with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, combining for a 2.79 ERA (2.60 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, a career-high five saves, 81 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 61 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in 22 relief appearances. Maton had a strikeout rate over 30% (32.7) for the second time in his career this past season and walked 9.3% of the batters he faced.

Nov 24

Shota Imanaga • SP • Cubs

Shota Imanaga Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer

Left-hander Shota Imanaga accepted the Chicago Cubs' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer on Tuesday and will return to the team for the 2026 season, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney. The Cubs made Imanaga a free agent earlier this offseason by declining his three-year, $57.5 million option, but now he'll return to the Windy City for at least one more year. The 32-year-old Japanese left-hander was an All-Star in his first year in the big leagues in 2024, but he wasn't quite as good in 2025. He missed time in the first half of the season due to injury and just wasn't the same in the second half. Imanaga finished 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA (4.86 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 117 strikeouts and 26 walks in 25 starts covering 144 2/3 frames. Imanaga's strikeout rate dropped from 25.1% in 2024 to 20% in 2025, but his walk rate remained elite, so a bounce back is entirely possible in 2026 in his third year in Chicago.

Nov 19

Justin Steele • SP • Cubs

Justin Steele Resumes Throwing on Monday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) resumed throwing the baseball on Monday. It's nice to see Steele throwing again after he underwent UCL surgery in April. He was only able to make four starts during the 2025 season before needing his ligament repaired. It's unlikely that Steele is ready for Opening Day, but it'll likely depend on his level of progress over the winter. If not, Steele should be ready in the early part of the 2026 season.

Oct 20

Kyle Tucker • RF • Cubs

Dodgers Expected to Pursue Kyle Tucker

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly ready to spend big this offseason. According to Jon Heyman, the Dodgers are expected to pursue outfielder Kyle Tucker this offseason. This should come as no surprise given the Dodgers pursuit of elite talent over the last few years. The Dodgers consider the outfield an area of need and Tucker is expected to be the best outfielder available on the market. He slashed .266/.376/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 134 games with the Chicago Cubs this past season. His numbers did take a dip in the second half, but Tucker still figures to get an enormous contract this winter. This deal would make sense for both sides, but we'll see who else goes after Tucker this offseason.

Oct 19

Cade Horton • SP • Cubs

Cade Horton Expected to Have Normal Offseason

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that right-hander Cade Horton (ribs) would have been on the roster if the team had advanced to the National League Championship Series, and the expectation is that he will have a "relatively normal offseason," according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "Given how much of a competitor he is, I was sad for him that he didn't get to pitch in the postseason. I know that's going to be his No. 1 goal going forward," Hoyer said. The 24-year-old suffered a right-rib fracture late in September and was not available for either the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres or the NL Division Series versus the Milwaukee Brewers. The former seventh overall pick out of Oklahoma back in 2022 really impressed in his first 23 big-league outings (22 starts) for the Cubs in 2025, posting a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 97 K's in 118 innings. Horton is going to be a popular starting pitching target with upside in fantasy drafts next spring.

Oct 15

Brad Keller • RP • Cubs

Brad Keller Interested in Returning to Cubs After Breakout Season

Chicago Cubs reliever Brad Keller has expressed a strong desire to re-sign with the team after a career-best 2025 season. The 30-year-old posted a 2.07 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and led Chicago's staff with 68 appearances, emerging as a key bullpen piece during the Cubs' 92-win campaign. Keller, who joined the team on a minor-league deal last winter, said, "Chicago is my favorite city. I love playing for the Cubs." As he enters free agency, Keller hopes to remain part of a clubhouse he believes is "something special," while the Cubs weigh whether to invest in keeping their top reliever.

Oct 15

Owen Caissie • RF • Cubs

Owen Caissie Symptom-Free, Aiming for Breakout 2026 Season

Chicago Cubs rookie outfielder Owen Caissie (concussion) is reportedly symptom-free after suffering a concussion in a September 13 loss to the Rays. The 23-year-old returned to full baseball activities before the end of the season and is now focused on a productive offseason. Caissie's rookie campaign was brief, as he appeared in only 12 games and slashed .192/.222/.346. Ranked as the No. 47 overall prospect, he remains one of Chicago's most promising young talents. With his health restored, Caissie will look to secure a regular role and make a major impact in 2026.

Oct 15

Kyle Tucker • RF • Cubs

Kyle Tucker Unsure About Returning to Chicago

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker said he's unsure if he'll re-sign with the organization this offseason. As expected, Tucker is expected to head to free agency after his one season on the North Side. He was able to help the Cubs win a postseason series, but they ultimately fell short to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. This season, Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 136 games. The left-handed slugger saw his numbers take a dive in the second half due to injuries. Despite that, Tucker will be one of the most coveted free agents this winter. Wherever he lands, Tucker is going to be an early round fantasy option next season.

Oct 12

Drew Pomeranz • RP • Cubs

Drew Pomeranz Named Opener for Game 5

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz has been named the opener for Saturday's Game 5 of the NLDS versus the Milwaukee Brewers. It looks like the Cubs are using a bullpen game in this elimination contest. The veteran left-hander has been solid for the Cubs both in the regular season and postseason. So far, Pomeranz has allowed only one run across five innings this postseason. It's unclear who will follow Pomeranz, but the veteran southpaw figures to only pitch the opening frame.

Oct 11

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd Expected to Start Game 4 of NLDS Against Brewers

Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd is expected to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Boyd will be hoping to bounce back on Thursday and send the NLDS to a fifth and deciding game back in Milwaukee on Saturday. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw was Chicago's most consistent starter all year long, but he allowed six runs (two earned) and recorded just two outs in the first inning in his disastrous Game 1 start last weekend. The good news is that Boyd has pitched much better at the friendly confines of Wrigley this year than on the road. Boyd didn't fare well against the Brew Crew in his two regular-season starts against them, either, giving up nine earned runs on 12 hits (two homers) while walking eight and striking out only five in 10 1/3 total innings.

Oct 9

Cade Horton • SP • Cubs

Cade Horton to Throw Another Bullpen on Friday

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Cade Horton's (rib) light bullpen session went "really well" on Tuesday, according to manager Craig Counsell. Horton is now scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Friday, per Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. The 24-year-old suffered a fractured right rib at the very end of the regular season and wasn't included on the playoff roster for the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres or for the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It's possible that Horton could be available for the Cubbies later this month, but they first have to climb out of a 2-0 hole in a best-of-five series against Milwaukee. The former first-rounder looked great in his first 23 MLB games (22 starts) during the regular season, going 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 97:33 K:BB in 118 innings. Horton should be guaranteed a rotation spot going into the 2026 season, which will be his first full year in the Show.

Oct 8

Cade Horton • SP • Cubs

Cade Horton to Throw on Tuesday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (ribs) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. The plan is for Horton to throw around 30 pitches at mid-intensity. If everything goes well, Horton should be available if the Cubs advance to the NLCS. The Cubs are currently down 2-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. It looks like they'll have reinforcements, assuming they're able to rally and beat the Brewers. Horton hasn't pitched since September 23 due to a rib fracture.

Oct 7

Jameson Taillon • SP • Cubs

Jameson Taillon to Start Game 3 of NLDS Against Brewers

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon will make the start on Wednesday at Wrigley Field for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers as the Cubs look to keep their season alive and force a Game 4 on Thursday. The Cubs will be hoping that Taillon can deliver a second straight strong start in the postseason after shutting out the San Diego Padres for four innings in a wild-card contest last week in Chicago. It won't be as easy against Milwaukee, though, after they racked up hits in bunches in two wins in Milwaukee to begin the series. The 33-year-old veteran will most likely be pulled early if he's not on his game, so he'll be a poor choice in DFS lineups. In three starts against the Brewers in 2025, Taillon had a 4.50 ERA (eight earned runs allowed in 16 innings) while giving up 16 hits (three homers), walking three and striking out 11. His lack of strikeout stuff also makes him less appealing in DFS.

Oct 7

Justin Turner • 1B • Cubs

Justin Turner Leading Off Against Lefty in NLDS Game 2

Chicago Cubs infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner is leading off and playing first base in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby. Turner replaces left-handed hitting Michael Busch at first base, who homered in Game 1 but struggles against same-handed pitching. Turner slashed .276/.330/.429 with three home runs in 109 plate appearances against southpaws in the regular season. Busch will almost certainly replace Turner early in Game 2, as Ashby is expected to be used as an opener and will likely only pitch an inning or two at most.

Oct 7

Cade Horton • SP • Cubs

Cade Horton to Throw Off a Mound This Week

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Cade Horton (rib), who has been sidelined with a fractured right rib, is scheduled to throw off a mound this week at Wrigley Field, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. It will help the Cubs determine whether Horton might be available if the Cubs advance past the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Championship Series. Not having Horton for the NLDS and potentially beyond could really hurt Chicago, as the young hurler went 8-1 with a 1.03 ERA in 12 starts at the All-Star break. The 24-year-old was not on the roster for the wild-card series or for the NLDS after suffering a right-rib fracture in his final regular-season start on Sept. 23. The Cubs would probably have to make it to the World Series for Horton to have a shot at returning in 2025.

Oct 6

Shota Imanaga • SP • Cubs

Shota Imanaga to Start Game 2 Against Brewers

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga will start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, manager Craig Counsell announced. After falling 9-3 in Game 1 on Saturday, the Cubs will turn to Imanaga as they try to even up the series against their division rivals. Imanaga made 25 starts during the regular season and finished 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA, a .99 WHIP, and 117:26 K:BB in 144 2/3 innings. He and the Brewers are plenty familiar with one another, having faced off three times during the season. The Cubs lost two of those meetings, but Imanaga pitched to a solid 3.66 ERA with 12 hits allowed, 17 strikeouts, and three walks over 17 2/3 frames.

Oct 5

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd Named Game 1 Starter for NLDS

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd has been named the Game 1 starter for Saturday's Game 1 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. The southpaw tossed 4.1 innings allowing only one run during Game 1 of the Wild Card round versus the San Diego Padres. Boyd looked strong during that outing, but only threw 58 pitches before giving up the ball to the bullpen. The expectation is that Boyd will likely have a similar workload during Saturday's game. The 34-year-old was fantastic in the first half of the season and earned his first All-Star appearance. Boyd struggled in the second half of the season, but the Cubs don't have a ton of viable starting options right now.

Oct 4

Jameson Taillon • SP • Cubs

Jameson Taillon to Start Game 3 Against Padres

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon will start in Game 3 of the NL wild-card series against the San Diego Padres on Thursday. After failing to put away the Padres in a 3-0 loss on Wednesday, the Cubs will turn to Tailon in a do-or-die showdown. Taillon ended the regular season in ace-like form over his final six starts, notching a 1.58 ERA with 24 hits allowed, 24 strikeouts, and seven walks in 34 1/3 innings. The 33-year-old took the ball 23 times during the regular campaign and went 11-7 with a 3.68 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 98:27 K:BB across 129 2/3 frames. Taiilon faced the Padres back on April 14 and yielded two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 10-4 loss, though he didn't factor into the decision.

Oct 2

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