Chicago Cubs

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.

Matthew Boyd

SP

Boyd covered 59 pitches (40 strikes) in the appearance, his first in the minors in two weeks after he experienced renewed soreness in his left shoulder coming out of a June 6 start with Triple-A Iowa. The southpaw was initially placed on the 15-day injured list May 6 after requiring a meniscectomy for his left knee, but he's since healed up from that procedure and appears to be bouncing back well from the minor setback with his shoulder. Per MLB.com, Boyd will rejoin the Cubs and will throw a bullpen session in New York on Monday, and if all goes well, he could be reinstated from the IL to make his next start with the big club Thursday against the Mets or during its weekend series in Milwaukee.

Daniel Palencia

RP

Manager Craig Counsell said that Palencia will be shut down from throwing for about a week, at which point the team will re-evaluate him. A clearer timeline for his return to the bullpen may emerge once he's cleared to begin a throwing program. In the meantime, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb and Phil Maton all figure to be in the mix for saves.

Justin Steele

SP

The club has already ruled Steele out through the All-Star break, but he's moving in the right direction. Montemurro notes that he'll be around the team for the next three weeks while continuing his rehab, and he could resume throwing a baseball as early as next Monday, which would be the first step in building up his throwing progression. The Cubs have yet to provide a firm timetable for Steele's return.

Jaxon Wiggins

SP

One of the Cubs' top pitching prospects, Wiggins made just two starts for Triple-A Iowa this season before landing on the shelf April 15 due to right elbow inflammation. After a prolonged shutdown, Wiggins is ramping back up again and looks like he'll be ready to begin a rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors in the near future.

Jameson Taillon

SP

Taillon landed on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Tuesday, and manager Craig Counsell outlined that the right-hander is not expected to be able to return to action until mid-to-late July. Javier Assad will likely replace Taillon in the Cubs' starting rotation in the meantime, while Shota Imanaga is now the last remaining arm from the team's Opening Day rotation that hasn't spent time on the IL this season.

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.

Brandon Birdsell

RP

Birdsell had elbow reconstruction surgery last summer -- he also had Tommy John surgery in high school -- and Callis reports that Birdsell will miss the entire regular season. Perhaps he will get healthy in time to participate in the Arizona Fall League or winter ball.

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.