Gausman, Holmes set make Cubs debuts this weekend

Clay Holmes is ready to get back into big-league action.

One of the Cubs’ two trade deadline additions to the rotation, Holmes won’t need another rehab start and is ready to come off the 60-day injured list this weekend in Kansas City. Holmes acknowledged Tuesday his preference for his next outing to be with the Cubs rather than a fourth rehab start, and manager Craig Counsell confirmed that is the plan for the 33-year-old.

Holmes, who has been sidelined since mid-May due to a right fibula fracture, built up to 73 pitches in his third rehab outing Sunday.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman won’t be making his Cubs debut Thursday against his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, which would have come on normal rest. Instead, Gausman will get the ball during the Royals series. If the Cubs keep the two in order of their last starts, it would align Gausman for Friday and Holmes on Saturday in Kansas City.

Holmes expressed his excitement at joining the Cubs.

“Just looking at this team, where they’re at, and, for me, this defense, is probably one of the best places I could have come,” Holmes said Tuesday. “The Cubs have got really good defense. Obviously, you see them play, and it’s special. So, a guy like me, that’s what I do. I’m a sinker ball guy. Rely on the quality of contact and to really be able to trust the defense like that and know that’s what you have behind you is a freeing thing.”

The Cubs could soon face some tough rotation decisions, even beyond right-hander Colin Rea’s rotation spot getting skipped for this turn. Counsell doesn’t foresee the Cubs using a six-man rotation too often, though there might be occasions when it makes sense to deploy. Holmes’ experience and success as a high-leverage reliever — 74 saves and a 2.85 ERA for the Yankees between 2022-24 — prior to converting to a starter last year potentially creates flexibility.

Holmes said he would 100% be open to another role as the Cubs look to make the postseason and go on a deep run.

“You want to do whatever you can to win a ball game,” Holmes said. “At that point, I think that’s what makes the playoffs so fun is it’s really not about one person. It’s not about a role. It’s about what do you have to give and what can you do for the team to win. And so whatever it is down the stretch, starter, the bullpen, I just love being out there when big outs are needed, and whenever that is, I’m all for it.”

Tyrone Taylor to get opportunities in left field vs. lefties

The switch-hitting Ian Happ has typically fared better against right-handers than lefties over the course of his career.

But Happ’s production against left-handers this season reached a point where Counsell plans to give the 31-year-old some days off versus tough lefties, like Tuesday night with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ newest ace, lefty Tarik Skubal getting the start. The addition of outfielder Tyrone Taylor gives Counsell more flexibility, and Taylor made his Cubs debut in left field and batting sixth.

Happ is hitting .158 with a .232 on-base percentage and .530 OPS in 125 plate appearances against left-handers this season. Meanwhile, Taylor has a .301/.311/.589 slash line this season versus southpaws.

“The energy in here is awesome already,” Taylor said pregame Tuesday. “I feel very welcome by all the guys. I’ve met a lot of people, so I’ve gotta really lock it in and learn some names. But, yeah, it’s exciting.”

Counsell said there have been conversations with Happ about fewer at-bats when lefties start and more of a platoon but also noted the Cubs are in a stretch of 17 consecutive games without an off day.

“Ian’s struggled against left-handed pitching this year, there’s no question,” Counsell said. “Ian’s still going to play against some lefties, but I think Tyrone gives us somebody that he’s going to get at-bats against left-handed pitching for sure, and we’ll just take it from there.”

Kevin Alcántara optioned to Triple A

Less than 24 hours after slugging his first major-league home run, the Cubs sent outfielder Kevin Alcántara back to Triple-A Iowa.

t had been a whirlwind few hours for Alcántara, who arrived about two hours before Monday’s series opener against the Dodgers, in which he started in left field. Alcántara went deep for a two-run home run in the Cubs’ comeback win, one that had been a long time coming since he made his big-league debut in 2024. The plan was always for his recall to be a short one following the addition of Taylor, regardless of his performance Monday.

That’s the life of a player who has minor-league options.

“I don’t enjoy that, but we have to pick a roster and we have to try to put the best guys out there, and guys understand that,” Counsell said. “We sent Kevin down today. He understands. He knows that he did a good job, had a short opportunity but did a lot with it, and that’s satisfying. And he’s got to control his part of it, and that’s what he did on a night like (Monday) night, and you wait for the next opportunity.”