Chicago Cubs

Seiya Suzuki

RF

Counsell expects the rehab assignment to last 3-to-7 days, setting Suzuki up to make his season debut next week, either on the road against the Rays or at home versus the Pirates. Suzuki is working his way back from a strained PCL in his right knee, an injury he suffered in mid-March while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Jeff Brigham

RP

Brigham made four relief appearances for the Diamondbacks last season, yielding three runs over 3.1 innings. He'll turn 34 in February and has collected a 4.85 ERA over 94 appearances (four starts) covering parts of six big-league seasons. Brigham is likely to begin the 2026 season as relief depth at Triple-A Iowa.

Justin Steele

SP

Steele is progressing as anticipated after undergoing UCL revision surgery back on April 18, 2025, but he'll still need at least the first two months of the 2026 season to complete the lengthy recovery process. The southpaw checked off a major box in his rehab program by facing live hitters in batting practice sessions just under two weeks ago. He'll likely continue to gradually increase the volume and intensity of his pitching in live BP sessions and simulated games over at least the next few weeks before eventually embarking on an extended minor-league rehab assignment.

Porter Hodge

RP

Hodge came down with a right flexor strain in early March. He is aiming to play catch around April 1, but he'll have been shut down nearly a month by that time so the buildup will take a while.

Jordan Wicks

RP

Left elbow inflammation will keep Wicks sidelined for at least the first couple weeks of the regular season. He has resumed throwing off the mound, but it's unclear when he'll be ready for game action.

Tyler Austin

1B

Austin hasn't appeared in the majors since 2019, but after a successful run in Japan with the Yokohama Bay Stars over the last six seasons, he joined the Cubs on a one-year deal over the winter and appeared to have the inside track on a reserve role with Chicago. However, with Austin having since required knee surgery, he'll be ticketed for an extended stint on the injured list. The Cubs likely won't have a clearer target date for Austin's return until weeks down the road, when he'll be further along in the rehab process.

Trent Thornton

RP

It's not clear whether it's a major- or minor-league contract, but Thornton has landed a deal after throwing for teams in a "Pro Day" at Tread Athletics training facility. Thornton had surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon but has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB over 42.1 innings for the Mariners in 2025 before getting hurt.

Shelby Miller

RP

Miller inked a two-year, $2.5 million contract with Chicago on Feb. 13, but as expected, he will spend the 2026 campaign on the IL. The 35-year-old is recovering UCL and flexor tendon surgery that he underwent Oct. 13, and he'll target a return to action in 2027. In a corresponding move, the Cubs claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Brandon Birdsell

RP

The exact procedure and recovery timeline have yet to be revealed, but Birdsell's surgery will officially put an early end to his season. A shoulder/lat injury also caused him to begin the year late, but he managed to register a 3.38 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 18.2 innings over four Triple-A starts when healthy.