Chicago Cubs

Gavin Hollowell

RP

Hollowell has been sidelined since late July with right shoulder inflammation, but he's ready to test things out in a game atmosphere. The right-handed reliever has allowed five runs (four earned) with a 13:8 K:BB over 14.1 innings during his time with the Cubs in 2026.

Edward Cabrera

SP

Cabrera will be making his second rehab appearance since landing on the injured list in mid-August due to right middle finger blister. In his first outing in the minors on Tuesday with Iowa, Cabrera struck out two batters and allowed one earned run on one hit. The Cubs plan to bring Cabrera back as a reliever, but it's unclear how many more rehab outings beyond Friday he'll require prior to being activated from the IL.

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 managed to successfully toss several bullpen sessions, proving that he's ready to progress to facing live hitters. He'll presumably need to make at least a few appearances in the minors before being activated from the 60-day injured list, at which point he would likely provide support for the Cubs out of the bullpen considering he won't have enough time to build back up to a starter's workload.

Phil Maton

RP

The Cubs have yet to decide whether to build Maton up for a late-season return or shut him down for the year, though the team is expected to make a decision within the next week or so. In the meantime, the Cubs will stash him away on the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot for Gabriel Arias, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday.

Riley Martin

RP

Martin has been shelved since late April with a left flexor strain. He's had difficulty recovering from his throwing sessions, and if that continues, surgery will become an option. Even if Martin doesn't go under the knife, he won't be a candidate to pitch again in 2026.

Hunter Harvey

RP

Harvey has been out nearly all season, first due to right triceps inflammation and then because of a stress reaction in his triceps/shoulder area. The reliever has been throwing off a mound this month, but he doesn't look close to facing hitters or going out on a rehab assignment.

Dansby Swanson

SS

Swanson is facing a 4-to-6 week recovery timeline due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain that he suffered during the Cubs' 11-4 loss to the Cardinals. It's possible that Swanson is back with the team during the last week of the regular season, though he may not be cleared to return to major-league action until the postseason, if the Cubs qualify. The Cubs selected Owen Miller's contract from Triple-A Iowa to provide infield depth, but Nico Hoerner figures to be Chicago's everyday shortstop for as long as Swanson is on the shelf.

Shelby Miller

RP

Miller has made remarkable progress in his recovery from Oct. 13 surgery to repair a torn right UCL tendon and flexor tendon. Though a complex procedure of that nature would normally keep a pitcher out for a full season, Miller would appear to have a strong chance at returning from the 60-day injured list by late August or early September after moving through his throwing progression without any setbacks and advancing to the final stage of his recovery process. Miller will stockpile appearances and will likely need to pitch on consecutive days at Iowa at some point over the next few weeks before the Cubs consider adding him to the big-league bullpen.

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.

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.