What next? Cubs’ Cabrera placed on IL due to blister

Posted May 24, 2026 1:56 pm

By Patrick Mooney

In the latest setback, the Cubs placed Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger, leaving them without yet another established starting pitcher as they attempt to get their season back on track.

The current losing streak had reached seven games by the time the Cubs announced the roster moves 60-plus minutes ahead of Sunday’s scheduled 1:20 p.m. first pitch against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field.

Cabrera was scheduled for a bullpen session that morning to help determine when he would make his next start. If everything went well, the Cubs hoped to slot him into this week’s four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Instead, the Cubs recalled left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa to take Cabrera’s spot on the active 26-man roster.

The blister issue forced Cabrera to exit his last start after throwing only one pitch in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s eventual 5-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, who have again taken over first place in the National League Central.

Cabrera’s high-octane stuff, next-level potential and contractual status — he’s not scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2028 season — led the Cubs to look beyond his significant injury history with the Miami Marlins.

In a signature offseason move, the Cubs acquired Cabrera, 28, for three minor-league prospects, a group headlined by left-handed slugger Owen Caissie.

Through 10 starts with the Cubs, Cabrera is 3-2 with a 4.00 ERA and a declining strikeout rate. Baseball Reference has graded out his contributions negatively (-0.2) in terms of Wins Above Replacement.

Chicago’s rotation has already had to compensate for injuries to Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd and Justin Steele, attrition that somehow didn’t stop the Cubs from compiling two separate 10-game winning streaks in April and May.

Horton, a budding ace, underwent season-ending surgery on his right elbow in April, a procedure that could keep him sidelined for up to 16 months.

Boyd, the Opening Day starter, is planning to throw live batting practice and incorporate agility drills into his routine this week in Pittsburgh. If the projected six-week recovery period after surgery on his left knee holds, he could be activated by the end of June, barring any setbacks.

Steele, a one-time All-Star, is scheduled for a follow-up visit later this week with Dr. Keith Meister, who handled the surgery on his left elbow last year and diagnosed him with a flexor strain last month. Steele has not been on a throwing program during this shutdown.