Chicago Cubs

Edward Cabrera

SP

Cabrera will miss the final series of the regular season but should be back for the wild-card series, though it's no guarantee the Cubs will include him on the roster. The 28-year-old has allowed five runs with a 4:4 K:BB over four innings covering three appearances since being moved to the bullpen.

Shelby Miller

RP

Miller has been on the shelf all season while working his way back from the second Tommy John procedure of his career, but the Cubs no longer believe it's worth pushing him to join the team's bullpen before the end of the year. The 35-year-old will now look to get healthy for the start of the 2027 campaign and provide stability to a Chicago bullpen that hasn't been very reliable this season.

Trent Thornton

RP

Thornton was the last of five Chicago pitchers to take the mound Thursday, working the top of the 11th inning in a 2-2 tie. The righty picked up the win when Pete Crow-Armstrong stole third base in the bottom of the 11th, then came around to score on a throwing error. Thornton has been solid this year with a 2.78 ERA across 35.2 innings, but he's in a crowded back-end mix that features Jacob Webb and the newly acquired Ryan Zeferjahn. Daniel Palencia (elbow) should also be back from the injured list in the near future.

Ben Brown

RP

Brown has been out since June with a stress reaction in his neck, and he had been cleared to face live hitters before suffering a setback last week. Now set to remain out for the rest of the season, he'll close the book on what seemed to be a promising 2026 campaign in which he posted a 1.85 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with a 65:19 K:BB over 68 innings.

Justin Steele

SP

Steele has been out all season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and a flexor strain. He is physically ready to pitch now, having made four rehab appearances this month, but the Cubs have decided he's not a fit for their playoff roster. Steele could earn consideration in subsequent rounds, if his team advances.