Chicago Cubs

Justin Steele

SP

Steele has been sidelined all season, first as he continued his recovery from UCL revision surgery and later after suffering a flexor strain in April. The left-hander will not have enough time to get stretched out as a starting pitcher this season, but a return late in the year as a reliever is possible.

Gavin Hollowell

RP

Hollowell tossed a scoreless frame in Thursday's win over the Cardinals, but he evidently didn't bounce back well from the outing. Antoine Kelly will grab Hollowell's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Hoby Milner

RP

Milner has been sidelined a little more than a month following an emergency appendectomy. It's unclear whether the Cubs have additional rehab appearances planned for the lefty, but his reinstatement from the 15-day injured list should come soon.

Edward Cabrera

SP

Cubs manager Craig Counsell relayed Monday that Cabrera will likely need three rehab starts before rejoining the rotation, which would put the right-hander on track to return to the majors in mid-August. Cabrera landed on the 15-day injured list in late June due to a left hamstring injury. In his 14 starts before the injury, he had a 5-4 record with a 5.10 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 65:29 K:BB over 72.1 innings.

Daniel Palencia

RP

Counsell noted that Palencia felt great after completing a side session Sunday, prompting the Cubs to clear the right-hander to take another small step forward Tuesday with a bullpen session that more closely simulates a game. Assuming that goes well, Palencia could face hitters in live batting practice later in the week before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment in the first week of August. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since June 16 due to a mild right flexor strain, after he had previously missed about three weeks earlier in the season on account of a lat strain.

Phil Maton

RP

Maton returned just over a week ago from the same injury and is now back on the IL after making just one appearance. It's been a struggle this season for the veteran reliever, as Maton has posted an ugly 6.18 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 31 outings after inking a two-year, $14.5 million contract last offseason.

Shelby Miller

RP

Chicago isn't completely ruling Miller out from returning from the 60-day injured list in September, but his main focus is getting back to full health for the start of the 2027 campaign after undergoing surgery last October to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon. Back in February, Miller signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cubs that includes a club option for 2028.

Hunter Harvey

RP

Harvey initially landed on the injured list April 12 due to right triceps inflammation, then suffered a setback in early May, when he was diagnosed with a stress reaction near his triceps and shoulder. After an extended shutdown period, the 31-year-old is beginning to ramp up again, but the Cubs are likely to ease him along cautiously in his throwing program. He's likely at least a month away from rejoining the Chicago bullpen, and a clearer target date probably won't be available until he heads out on a rehab assignment.

Ben Brown

RP

Counsell added that Brown is considered "asymptomatic" as he recovers from a stress reaction with his neck, an injury that sent him to the shelf June 24. Though Brown has seemingly made decent progress after being shut down from activity for a few weeks, the Cubs want him to proceed conservatively with his rehab program. He's without an official timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list, and the Cubs likely won't be able to pinpoint a target date for Brown until he starts throwing off a mound and facing hitters.

Ethan Roberts

RP

Roberts needed just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side in what was his first game action at any level since June 28. Cubs manager Craig Counsell hasn't provided word on the next steps for Roberts, but the right-hander may not need any further rehab appearances before returning from the 15-day injured list. MLB.com currently lists Roberts as its probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Tigers, though if he's activated for that contest, he would likely work just an inning or two before David Peterson takes over in bulk relief.

Matt Shaw

RF

Shaw has been sidelined by his sprained hand since late June, and he likely will remain without a timeline to return until he's able to swing a bat without any pain. In the meantime, Seiya Suzuki should continue to receive the majority of starts in right field, with Michael Conforto and Kevin Alcantara getting occasional reps.

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.

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.