Cabrera Activated: Cubs’ Flamethrower Starts vs Cardinals
Cubs Activate Edward Cabrera: What It Means for Chicago’s Pitching Staff
The Big News
Breaking: The Chicago Cubs have brought pitcher Edward Cabrera back from the injured list just in time to start Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Who Is Edward Cabrera?
Think of Cabrera as one of the Cubs’ "starting five" — the pitchers who begin games. Here’s his quick profile:
- Age: 28 years old
- Role: Starting pitcher (starts the game on the mound)
- 2026 Season Stats: 5 wins, 4 losses, 5.10 ERA in 14 starts
- Team History: This is his first season with the Cubs
- Injury: Left hamstring strain (hurt while covering first base in late June)
Why Was He Gone?
Cabrera has been sidelined since late June with a left hamstring strain. In baseball terms, this means he pulled a muscle in the back of his thigh while running to cover first base during a play. Hamstring injuries are tricky — they need proper healing time or they can easily re-tear.
The Roster Shuffle: Making Room for Cabrera
Baseball teams can only carry a certain number of players (26 active players). To add Cabrera back, the Cubs had to send someone down.
The Move:
- Cabrera activated → Added to active roster
- Javier Assad demoted → Sent to Triple-A Iowa (the minor league team)
Who Is Javier Assad?
- Age: 29
- 2026 Stats: 6-1 record, 3.59 ERA in 21 games (10 starts)
- Status: Has "minor league options" (can be sent down without losing him)
Important Point: Manager Craig Counsell admitted this doesn’t feel "fair" to Assad, who has pitched well. But the team prioritized keeping all their pitchers fresh and available for the playoff push.
The Domino Effect: Rotation Gets Crowded
With Cabrera back, the Cubs now have more starting pitchers than starting spots. Here’s how it shakes out:
| Pitcher | New Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edward Cabrera | Starting Rotation | Back from injury |
| David Peterson | Bullpen (Reliever) | Moved from rotation temporarily |
| Colin Rea | Bullpen (Reliever) | Also moved from rotation |
| Javier Assad | Triple-A Iowa | Sent down despite good numbers |
Why the Crowded Rotation?
The Cubs made two big trades at the deadline (July 31st):
- Clay Holmes — Experienced reliever turned starter
- Kevin Gausman — Veteran ace pitcher
These additions gave Chicago more quality arms than they’ve had all season.
What "Go Time" Means
Manager Craig Counsell said: "We’re at go time here… Edward understands that."
Translation: The regular season is winding down, every game matters for playoff positioning, and the team needs its best pitchers ready to perform now — not later.
Help on the Way: Injured Relievers Returning
The bullpen (relief pitchers) should get reinforcements soon:
- Hoby Milner — Recovering from appendicitis
- Daniel Palencia — Healing from forearm issue
- Ben Brown — Recovering from neck problem
Expected back: Before the regular season ends
Summary: The Bottom Line
- Cabrera returns to bolster starting rotation
- Assad sent down despite good season (roster math)
- Rotation depth at season-high thanks to trade deadline moves
- Peterson & Rea shift to bullpen for flexibility
- More relievers coming back soon
- Playoff push driving all decisions
The Cubs are stacking their pitching staff for a postseason run — even if it means tough choices for deserving players like Assad.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why send down Assad if he’s pitching better than Cabrera?
Great question! Assad has minor league options — meaning the Cubs can send him to the minors without risking losing him to another team. Cabrera is out of options. It’s a business/roster rule decision, not purely performance-based.
What’s the difference between the rotation and the bullpen?
Rotation (Starters): 5 pitchers who take turns starting games, typically pitch 5-7 innings.
Bullpen (Relievers): Pitchers who enter later in games, usually pitch 1-2 innings. More flexible, shorter outings.
What does "minor league options" mean?
When a player is on the 40-man roster but hasn’t used all their "option years," the team can send them to the minors freely. Once options run out, the player must clear waivers (other teams can claim them) to be sent down.
How do the trade deadline additions (Holmes, Gausman) change things?
They added two proven major league starters to a rotation that already had talent. This created a "good problem" — too many quality pitchers for five rotation spots — forcing tough roster decisions.
When do the injured relievers (Milner, Palencia, Brown) return?
Before the end of the regular season (late September/early October). Their returns will further strengthen the bullpen for potential playoff games.
Article based on ESPN reporting by Jesse Rogers, August 16, 2026.