Chicago Cubs right‑hander Edward Cabrera was placed on the 15‑day injured list Tuesday, May 26, after a sore elbow forced him out of the May 24 loss to Houston. The move sparked a roster shuffle that included promoting Jordan Wicks from Triple‑A Iowa and confirming that rookie left‑hander Cade Horton will undergo season‑ending Tommy John surgery. The MLB Injury Report now lists three pitchers on the IL, a clear signal that Chicago’s rotation is in flux.
In that Astros game, the Cubs fell 8‑15, extending their losing streak to eight games and exposing a thin rotation. The bullpen posted a 5.12 ERA, the highest of any Chicago franchise bullpen this season, while the staff ranked 24th in the NL in strikeouts per nine innings, according to Bleacher Report. The team’s batting average sits at .239, the lowest in the league, underscoring the uphill battle ahead.
Why the Cubs’ rotation is in trouble
Chicago entered the weekend with a 2‑1 record for Cabrera, who posted a 2.10 ERA but struggled with command, evident in a 1‑2 line before his elbow flare. Cabrera, a 24‑year‑old native of San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, signed with the Cubs in 2022 as a second‑round pick and quickly earned a reputation as a high‑velocity swing‑and‑miss pitcher, touching 96 mph on his fastball during his 2024 breakout. The medical staff detected inflammation that could not be treated conservatively, prompting the IL move. At the same time, the club confirmed that Horton, who debuted earlier this month, suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament, necessitating Tommy John surgery and ending his 2026 campaign.
Horton’s story is equally compelling. The 22‑year‑old left‑hander from Dallas, Texas, was a first‑round pick in 2023 and made his MLB debut on May 4, tossing five innings of 2‑run ball against the Milwaukee Brewers. In just three starts he compiled a 3.38 ERA and demonstrated a rare ability to generate ground balls with a sinking two‑seam fastball that averages 91 mph. His abrupt injury not only robs the Cubs of a promising left‑handed starter but also collapses the depth chart that already lacked veteran left‑handed options.
Roster moves explained
Jordan Wicks, who posted a 3.45 ERA across 12 Triple‑A starts, received his first big‑league call‑up to fill the void left by Cabrera. Wicks, a 27‑year‑old former first‑rounder out of the University of Arizona, spent the past two seasons shuttling between Chicago and its minor‑league affiliates. In Iowa he struck out 112 batters in 78 innings, wielding a 94‑mph fastball and a sharp slider that generated a 42% swing‑and‑miss rate. Manager David Ross said Wicks’ “mature approach” and “ability to locate the fastball on both corners” made him the logical choice for the immediate need.
The club also activated reliever Ryan Tepera from the COVID‑related list to bolster the bullpen, though his recent outings have been hit‑or‑miss. Tepera, a veteran right‑hander with a career 3.79 ERA, was signed in the 2024 offseason to add depth after the Cubs lost left‑hander Justin Steele to a shoulder strain. His recent 5.63 ERA in his last six appearances illustrates the volatility of the bullpen that has been a hallmark of Chicago’s 2026 season.
Simultaneously, the Cubs shuffled their 40‑man roster, adding Wicks and clearing a spot for a potential trade acquisition later this month. The move opened a roster slot that could accommodate a veteran arm at the trade deadline, a scenario front‑office director Jed Hoyer has hinted at in recent press conferences, noting that “we’re not sitting on our hands while the division race accelerates.”
Looking ahead for Chicago
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross emphasized the need for veteran stability as he leans on left‑hander Kyle Hendricks and the newly‑promoted Wicks to navigate the upcoming stretch against division rivals. Hendricks, now 38, is the franchise’s longest‑tenured pitcher and has reinvented himself as a finesse specialist, posting a 3.21 ERA over his last 12 starts despite a fastball that now sits in the upper 80s. Ross noted that Hendricks’ “ability to eat innings and keep the game close” will be crucial while the club evaluates whether to pursue a mid‑season trade for a frontline starter.
The loss of Horton compresses the left‑handed depth chart, forcing the front office to consider a trade or a waiver‑wire pickup before the June deadline. Potential targets include right‑handed swing‑and‑miss pitcher Javy Guerra of the Pirates, who is projected to be available via trade, or left‑hander prospect Jared Jones from the Marlins’ Double‑A system, a candidate the Cubs have scouted for years.
Fantasy owners should monitor Cabrera’s IL timeline, stream Wicks as a low‑risk upside option, and watch reliever Jameson Taillon for increased leverage opportunities. Taillon, who was acquired from the Braves in a July 2025 trade, has seen his role expand from middle relief to high‑leverage situations, posting a 2.87 ERA in his last eight appearances.
Chicago Cubs face a pivotal stretch
Chicago Cubs pitchers have struggled to keep runs off the board this season, posting a staff ERA of 4.87, which ranks 22nd in the NL. The bullpen’s 5.12 ERA, highlighted after the Astros loss, is the highest among Chicago franchises this year. With three arms now on the injured list, the rotation’s depth is thin, and the team’s next start on May 28 against the St. Louis Cardinals will feature Jordan Wicks, offering a chance to stem the skid and give the front office breathing room before the trade deadline.
The Cardinals, currently a .500 club, present a relatively favorable matchup statistically; Chicago’s hitters have a .267 average against left‑handed starters, while Wicks is a right‑hander. Analysts from FanGraphs project a 1.84 WAR potential for Wicks in his first three starts if he can replicate his Triple‑A strikeout rate, a modest but meaningful boost for a club desperately seeking positive contributions from the rotation.
Historical perspective
The Cubs’ 2026 season mirrors the 2015 campaign, when the team also lost two young starters (Kris Bryant’s early‑season hamstring and veteran Jon Lester’s elbow) within a two‑week span, prompting a mid‑season trade for Jake Arrieta. That trade catalyzed a late‑season surge that ultimately fell short of the postseason. History suggests that strategic mid‑season acquisitions can at least halt a collapse, but the window is narrow: the Cubs have until June 10 to claim a player off waivers without exposing him to the Rule 5 draft, and until July 31 for a conventional trade.
In the broader league context, the NL Central has become a pitching‑heavy division in 2026, with the Cardinals, Brewers, and Pirates all posting sub‑4.00 staff ERAs. Chicago’s 4.87 ERA thus places them in the bottom third of the division, underscoring the urgency of bolstering the rotation.
Key Developments
- Edward Cabrera placed on the 15‑day IL with elbow inflammation, freeing a spot on the 40‑man roster.
- Jordan Wicks promoted from Triple‑A Iowa, making his MLB debut the same day.
- Cade Horton scheduled for Tommy John surgery, ending his 2026 season.
- Cubs’ bullpen ERA rose to 5.12 following the Astros loss, the highest in the league this month.
- Chicago’s next start is set for May 28 against the St. Louis Cardinals, with Wicks slated to open.
When is Edward Cabrera expected to return from the IL?
The Cubs project a 10‑to‑14‑day rehab stint for elbow inflammation, putting a possible return in mid‑June if no setbacks occur.
How does Cade Horton’s surgery affect the Cubs’ long‑term plans?
Horton’s Tommy John surgery removes a promising left‑handed arm for at least 12 months, prompting Chicago to accelerate the development of other left‑handed prospects and explore external options at the trade deadline.
Who will start in place of Cabrera against the Cardinals?
Jordan Wicks is slated to make his first major‑league start on May 28, offering a fresh arm and a chance to prove his Triple‑A success can translate to the big leagues.
What is the impact on fantasy baseball values?
Cabrera’s IL move drops his fantasy stock dramatically, while Wicks becomes a potential streaming option. Horton’s season‑ending injury eliminates his upside for the rest of 2026, prompting owners to replace him with a healthier rotation arm.
Will the Cubs consider a trade for a starter before the deadline?
Analysts note that Chicago’s depleted rotation and rising bullpen ERA make a mid‑season acquisition likely, though the front office has not confirmed any negotiations as of this writing.
How does the IL move affect the Cubs’ 40‑man roster flexibility?
Placing Cabrera on the IL opened a spot that allowed the club to add Jordan Wicks and keep a backup reliever, giving the front office room to explore a trade or claim a free agent before the June 10 deadline.