Hendricks' return, 5-inning gem 'so important' for Cubs' staff
PITTSBURGH -- Kyle Hendricks was expected to go to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday and make another rehab start. On Saturday, he learned he’d instead be back with the big league team, facing the Pirates and going for a series win with the club in a “need-based” mode, as manager Craig
Injuries & Moves: Hendricks activated from IL; Cuas optioned
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Here's the freshly updated Top 100 Prospects list
Break out the caps and gowns. It’s time for a whole bunch of graduations and an updated Top 100 Prospects list. Young players who began the 2024 season on a Major League Opening Day roster with zero MLB service time exhausted their prospect status Sunday by way of the 45-day
Cubs' 'strange inning': 6 bases-loaded walks, 3+ hours
PITTSBURGH -- The Cubs had barely put a dent in the line of Paul Skenes, the top pitching prospect in MLB, by the time he had exited his debut with two on and no outs in the top of the fifth inning on Saturday. But they were able to grind
Bellinger's big game, return to lineup comes at crucial time
PITTSBURGH -- Welcoming the Cubs at the start of their three-game trip to Pittsburgh this weekend are two of the most electric starting arms they’ll face in the division: Jared Jones and Paul Skenes, two pitchers who can hit 100 mph. Thankfully for Chicago, Cody Bellinger can hit 100 mph,
Swanson (right knee sprain) heads to IL; Suzuki returns
PITTSBURGH -- The Cubs got a big part of their offense back on Friday, but they also lost another piece for at least the next 10 days. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki was activated from the 10-day IL, but shortstop Dansby Swanson was placed on the 10-day IL with a right knee
‘Long way’ to Deadline, but Cubs might bolster ’pen
This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
The most surprising developments for each team
There has been no shortage of surprising developments in the 2024 season. Whether they are good or bad developments, or on the player or team-wide level, there are plenty of trends that have already shifted the arc of this season. With the help of each club's MLB.com beat writer, here
Wesneski 'doing the right stuff' and feeling like he belongs
CHICAGO -- In the early days of Spring Training, even before exhibition games started, Cubs manager Craig Counsell could tell that Hayden Wesneski was frustrated with how he felt on the mound. The young pitcher’s delivery was off, and it was going to take time to fix his mechanics and
Fowler fulfills promise of graduating from college: 'It's never too late'
Nerves began to overtake former Major Leaguer Dexter Fowler as he approached Penn State University’s Bryce Jordan Center to keep a promise that he made to his parents almost 20 years ago. “I told my parents, ‘Look, all I want to do right now is play baseball,’” the 38-year-old recalled
Potential future closers -- one for each team
Big league closers can come from all areas of the pitching world. Some are guys who have always been relievers, from college all the way up to the big leagues. Some were starters whose power stuff (and perhaps lack of command) were better suited for shorter stints coming out of
Imanaga not impeccable, but darned near close
CHICAGO -- Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga shouted and spun down the mound, while Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya burst out of his crouch and violently pumped a fist in the air. The way the Wrigley Field crowd roared after Imanaga escaped the sixth inning with a strikeout of Xander Bogaerts on
Ribs still aching, Bellinger homers in first game off IL
CHICAGO -- Cody Bellinger went through all the necessary tests to make sure he could feel like himself. The biggest step arrived Monday, when the Cubs’ center fielder faced live pitching at Wrigley Field and did not hold anything back with his swing. The way Bellinger felt in that session
Here are the top 10 prospects in the Complex leagues
The Rookie-level Arizona Complex and Florida Complex leagues began play last Saturday, a month earlier than they did a year ago. The changes mean that the circuits will be populated more by players making the jump from the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League the season before and less by guys coming
How a 92 mph fastball became MLB's most valuable pitch
The most valuable pitch in baseball in 2024 is a 92 mph fastball. That seems impossible. But Shota Imanaga is showing the Major Leagues that velocity is just a number. The start to Imanaga's MLB career has been incredible. Entering his seventh start of the season Tuesday against the Padres,
Steele back and in form: 'That's a big deal'
CHICAGO – When Justin Steele dropped to the grass in Globe Life Field on Opening Day, grabbing at his left leg, it was easy to think through worst-case scenarios for the Cubs’ rotation. A little more than a month later, the lefty rejoined a group that has more than held
‘Development is No. 1’ for prospect Horton at Triple-A
This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
'Be yourself': Swanson sees stellar results after mindset shift
CHICAGO -- Dansby Swanson admitted to letting himself get too caught up in the results and the numbers that have stacked up against him over the past few weeks. Over the past few days, the Cubs' shortstop did what he could do to shift his state of mind once he
Cubs bring the boom as key bats near return
CHICAGO -- Prior to Saturday’s game against the Brewers, Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged that the lineup was in a lull, while awaiting the respective comebacks of outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger. “Chris Morel is probably the exception,” Counsell said.
Imanaga named NL Rookie of the Month for March/April
One down, five (and change) to go. With April comfortably in the rearview mirror, it's time to hand out the first round of monthly awards for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. Here are the eight stars -- household names and new phenoms alike -- receiving honors for their performance
See who the Cubs land in 2024 mock draft
You know it’s really Draft season when the first mock draft is out. Between now and July 14, when the 2024 Draft begins, Jim Callis and I will be providing prognostications of the first round on a fairly regular basis with the hope that our final mocks the night before
Cubs eager to get struggling Alzolay back on track: 'We need Adbert'
CHICAGO -- Adbert Alzolay has the kind of energetic personality that paired perfectly with late-game situations and the Wrigley Field crowd behind him. When he was locked in as the Cubs’ closer, the righty punctuated saves with a ferocious fist pump fit for social-media reposts. The way Alzolay won over