The Chicago Cubs are locked in a fight, sitting right now tied for the National League’s top wild-card playoff spot, and they are about to unleash a serious weapon from their bullpen. Cubs manager Craig Counsell made it official on Saturday, Edward Cabrera is back from the injured list and is geared up to pitch out of the bullpen for the rest of the regular season, and yes, even into the postseason. This move is a huge gamble, but if it pays off, it could absolutely change the vibe for the Cubs down the stretch.
Cabrera’s Comeback: Injury Woes to Bullpen Dominance?
This dude, Cabrera, has had a rough 2026, landing on the injured list three different times. First, it was a left hamstring strain that sidelined him. Then, a brutal blister on his right middle finger sent him back to the IL not once, but twice. Talk about frustrating! These setbacks limited the 28-year-old right-hander to just 15 starts all season, where he put up a 5.68 ERA with 67 strikeouts across 78 innings. Not exactly the numbers you want, right? But the Cubs have been eyeing this new role for him, hoping that by throwing fewer innings in relief, he can finally shake those pesky blister issues. Plus, with his experience as a starter, he is totally capable of giving them multiple innings out of the pen when they need it most. That’s a game-changer for late-inning situations. To make room for Cabrera, reliever Trent Thornton, who had a solid 3.35 ERA, was placed on the IL with left ankle soreness.
Bringing the 🔥: Why This Arm Matters So Much
Now, look, his 2026 stats might not scream “ace,” but dig into Cabrera’s career and you will see a guy who consistently throws strikeout stuff. He is rocking a career rate of 9.7 Ks per 9 innings, which is pretty electric. And if you needed proof that the velocity is still there, his final rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday was bananas. He averaged 98 mph and touched a blistering 100.7 mph during his two innings. That’s the kind of heat you want coming in during high-lverage situations. The Cubs picked him up from the Miami Marlins during the offseason in exchange for three prospects, including outfielder Owen Caissie. And last season, he was straight fire, putting up career-best numbers with a 3.53 ERA in 26 starts and an impressive 150 strikeouts over 137 2/3 innings. If he can recapture even some of that form in short bursts, the Cubs bullpen just got a serious upgrade.
With only 14 games left in the regular season, the stakes could not be higher. The Cubs are sitting at 82-66, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for that coveted NL No. 1 wild-card playoff berth. They have got a 2.5-game cushion over the San Diego Padres, but the Arizona Diamondbacks are breathing down everyone’s necks, only a half-game behind that third spot. Every single game matters now, and with Cabrera bringing that kind of velocity and strikeout potential to the bullpen, you better believe the competition just got a whole lot tougher. This weekend’s matchups are absolutely critical, and adding a fresh, high-leverage arm like Cabrera could be the push they need to secure that spot.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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