Cubs Stuff

The Cubs were hoping Ben Brown would factor into their pitching plans for the stretch run. That plan might be on hold after the righty experienced symptoms related to the neck injury that has cost him more than two months. Brown is headed back to Chicago to be examined by [...]

The Cubs are adding veteran catcher Austin Wynns on a minor league contract and assigning him to Triple-A Iowa, reports Iowa broadcaster Jason Kempf. He’d elected free agency after being outrighted by the Rangers last week. Wynns provides an experienced depth option behind the big league duo of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya. Chicago [...]

August 25: Miller cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Iowa, according to the MLB.com transaction log. It’s not yet known if he’ll elect free agency. August 21: The Cubs announced they’ve designated infielder Owen Miller for assignment and optioned right-hander Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa. Those are the corresponding moves to reinstate [...]

As the MLB season enters its stretch run, our CHGO baseball analysts Jared Wyllys and Tony Andracki examine the state of each Chicago baseball team and its place in the playoff race. Will the Cubs track down the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central? Tony Andracki There’s really two questions here. CAN the Cubs [...]

The Sunday getaway game was at least enjoyable to listen to at work after staying up way too late for a disappointing extra inning walkoff on Friday and the unexpected blown save on Saturday. It also again made one ponder the MVP candidacy of Pete Crow-Armstrong as well as what [...]

Veteran utilityman Jon Berti is calling it a career. The 36-year-old speedster made the announcement today on Instagram. Berti thanked his former teams, teammates, coaches, agents and fans in a heartfelt statement: After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from professional baseball. It’s been a hell [...]

As the Cubs milled about on the field and around the dugout Wednesday morning preparing for the Crosstown season finale with the White Sox, a new figure emerged on the third base side. He came with an entourage of family, friends and agents and sported a unique white-pinstriped Cubs jersey — [...]

The Cubs will reinstate Daniel Palencia from the 60-day injured list before Friday’s series opener in Seattle, reports Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Chicago will need to open a spot on the pitching staff and 40-man rosters after tomorrow’s off day. Palencia was just transferred to the 60-day IL on Monday [...]

The Cubs announced that they have claimed infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from the Mets. New York designated him for assignment earlier this week. Right-hander Phil Maton has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man spot. Arias is out of options and will also need an [...]

Alas, the Cubs did not sweep the White Sox, but I think the by-laws suggest that by splitting the season series (and winning this one at Wrigley), they do get to keep whatever it is the trophy looks like these days. The first two in the series were of course [...]

Diehard Exclusive [...]

Veteran first baseman Trey Mancini tells Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com that he’s decided to retire after playing in parts of eight major league seasons with the Orioles, Cubs, Astros and Angels. The 34-year-old appeared in five games with the Halos earlier this year, completing his goal of making it back [...]

The Cubs announced that right-hander Edward Cabrera has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right middle finger blister. Shortstop Dansby Swanson has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. Infielder James Triantos has also been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. In corresponding moves, the [...]

Aug. 17: Swanson has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain, reports ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. The Cubs haven’t provided a formal update on his timetable, but even Grade 1 strains can cost players around a month. Rogers suggests that Swanson could be out up to six weeks, which would mean [...]

The Cubs are activating right-hander Edward Cabrera off the 15-day injured list, per the Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan. Cabrera will start today’s game against the Cardinals. In a corresponding active roster move, Chicago optioned swingman Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa. Cabrera had been on the IL since June 24th due to [...]

Well first thing I will do is share the greatest part of the opening game against the Cardinals at Wrigley: And now that we have been graced by the majesty that is the great Mr. T, we can also be happy that the Cubs did in fact win the game after [...]

Cubs setup man Phil Maton has been on the injured list three times due to what’s been labeled tendinitis in his right knee this season, but Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports that Maton has now been diagnosed with a partial tear of the patellar tendon in that knee. [...]

We’ve talked about Ian Happ a bunch, as the Gold Glove left fielder plays out the current contract in advance of the CBA negotiations and probable lockout coming up. It is no secret that Happ has sucked at the plate for the better part of a month and then some, [...]

We touched on the subject during the last pod when we were doing the trade deadline postmortem, but now that the sweep is complete and he factored heavily in the success of the Cubs in all three games in some manner, it’s fair to wonder if Pete Crow-Armstrong has done [...]

I honestly should have gone to bed already, but a trade has happened involving the best pitcher on the block: The Dodgers are acquiring two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal from the Tigers for three prospects, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Detroit is getting outfielder Zyhir Hope (L.A.’s No. 5 prospect and [...]