Chicago Cubs

Justin Steele

SP

Steele began a throwing program in late June, and although he's started to increase the intensity of his throwing sessions, the Cubs will hold off on having him throw off a mound until the first week of August. The left-hander won't have enough time to build up as a starter, but he could work as a reliever in the late stages of the season.

Jameson Taillon

SP

Though Taillon joined the team in Baltimore for the start of their six-game road trip, Counsell said that the right-hander won't be activated this week unless the Cubs lose one of their healthy starters to an injury and have to adjust the rotation on the fly. Assuming Taillon isn't needed, he'll report to an affiliate over the weekend to make the second start of his rehab assignment, then make his return from the IL following the All-Star break. Taillon made his first rehab start this past Sunday at High-A South Bend, tossing 3.1 innings and 45 pitches (32 strikes) while striking out two and allowing one run on four hits and zero walks.

Edward Cabrera

SP

Cabrera is limited to playing catch, but after the Cubs came away encouraged by how his strained hamstring responded over the weekend, he could advance to throwing off a mound later this week before the team heads into the All-Star break. The right-hander probably won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list immediately coming out of the break, but he'll have a shot at rejoining the Chicago rotation before the end of July if he steers clear of any setbacks with his hamstring while building back up.

Matt Shaw

RF

Shaw landed on the injured list June 29 due to a sprained left hand. The initial expectation was that the 24-year-old could return when first eligible July 9, but he's now slated to miss at least a bit more time than that. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Conforto and Kevin Alcantara have all gotten starts in right field since Shaw went down.

Ethan Roberts

RP

Roberts has allowed five runs (four earned) over his last three appearances out of the Chicago bullpen. His recent struggles may have been linked to the forearm injury, and by going on the 15-day IL, he'll be shelved until at least after the All-Star break in mid-July. Gavin Hollowell was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to give the Cubs more depth out of the bullpen in Roberts' absence.

Daniel Palencia

RP

Palencia landed on the injured list June 16 and hasn't thrown since. Per MLB.com, the righty reliever could begin a throwing program at the beginning of the coming week, but he's nonetheless expected to remain out of action until after the All-Star break. Jacob Webb and Trent Thornton have each logged saves since Palencia went down, and Caleb Thielbar is also in the temporary closer mix.

Hoby Milner

RP

Milner will miss a chunk of time after undergoing emergency surgery to address appendicitis Friday. If the 35-year-old misses the minimum four weeks, he could be back by the end of July. The Cubs bullpen has been heavily dismayed by injuries this season with Daniel Palencia (elbow), Phil Maton (knee), Riley Martin (elbow) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) among their relievers currently on the injured list.

Ben Brown

RP

Counsell also noted that Brown's injury is "very similar" to the one the pitcher dealt with during the 2024 campaign. That year, Brown was sidelined in early June and wound up not appearing in another game for the remainder of the season. The Cubs will have a better idea as to Brown's timetable in one month, but the right-hander is looking at an extended absence.

Riley Martin

RP

Back on April 27, Martin was diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain, an injury that was expected to keep him on the shelf for about eight weeks. Though he was recently able to start throwing again, Martin has yet to advance to facing hitters and looks as though he'll wind up missing more time than originally anticipated. Martin had gotten off to a strong start to the season prior to being shelved, posting a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings over eight appearances.

Hunter Harvey

RP

Harvey landed on the injured list with right triceps inflammation April 12. He began a throwing program in late April and had progressed to throwing off a mound, but he was then diagnosed with a stress reaction in the triceps. He isn't expected to resume throwing until at least early June, so the transfer to the 60-day IL doesn't come as a surprise.

Porter Hodge

RP

Hodge will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery Tuesday, so the Cubs will stash him away on the 60-day IL and give his 40-man roster spot to Nicky Lopez.

Shelby Miller

RP

Miller inked a two-year, $2.5 million contract with Chicago earlier this month, but as expected, he will begin the 2026 campaign on the IL. The 35-year-old underwent UCL and flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow Oct. 13 and is expected to miss the entire 2026 season. In a corresponding move, the Cubs claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Blue Jays.

Cade Horton

SP

Horton will miss roughly 16 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery Thursday, so the Cubs will stash him away on the 60-day IL for the rest of the year. Corbin Martin was selected from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Tyler Austin

1B

Austin underwent a patellar tendon debridement procedure on his right knee in February. He remains without a return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL ensures he'll remain out until at least late May. His spot on the 40-man roster will be handed to Dylan Carlson, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move.