Chicago Cubs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Cubs Reliever Determined to Pitch in 2026 Despite Tommy John Surgery

While making additions elsewhere on the roster, the Chicago Cubs lost plenty of valuable relievers this offseason, most of which departed in free agency.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Counsell, Imanaga, Suzuki

*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.

Alex Bregman News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 9

Alex Bregman leaves Mark DeRosa surprised after speaking Spanish

So far, Team USA is off to a good start in the World Baseball Classic. They trounced Brazil in their opener, 15-5. On Saturday, they won their second over Great Britain by a score of 9-1.

Shelby Miller News / Cubs Insider / March 9

Rehabbing Cubs Reliever Shelby Miller Could Return by September

Most pitchers would be expected to miss the whole season after undergoing elbow reconstruction the previous October, but $200 million man Shelby Miller is no ordinary pitcher.

New York Yankees News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '50-HR, .300 average MLB seasons' quiz

How many of the 20 MLB players to bat .300 and mash 50 home runs in the same season can you name in five minutes?

The 'Last 40-homer season by MLB team' quiz

The 'Active 100-RBI MLB season leaders' quiz

The 'Live-Ball Era strikeout leaders' quiz

Jed Hoyer News / Chicago Cubs on SI / March 9

Cubs Still Have One More Major Trade to Make Before Opening Day

The Chicago Cubs went into the offseason looking to take steps from their first real playoff run in close to a decade, and they certainly had a strong winter led by Jed Hoyer.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2026

As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.

Ethan Roberts News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / March 9

2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Ethan Roberts

Today we look at the Cubs’ right-handed relief pitcher, who is diminutive in baseball terms. Ethan Michael Roberts, 5’10”, 180 lbs, was born in Sparta, Tennessee 28 years ago, and has been in the Cubs’ system for quite some time, first surfacing in 2022 for a small coffee.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / March 9

Chicago Cubs: Young star named 2026 team X-Factor

When the Chicago Cubs announced that they had signed free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a 5-year, $175 million deal, everyone was elated. Who wouldn’t want a three-time All-Star on the team, renowned for his winning attitude and leadership abilities?

Jameson Taillon News / ChiCitySports / March 9

Chicago Cubs: Taillon’s continued struggles add strain to rotation depth

The Chicago Cubs walked into spring training confident about their starting rotation and enjoying the kind of depth that lets a team focus more closely on other issues.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / March 9

Chicago Cubs: former All-Star slugger in bad position as 2026 roster cuts loom

The Chicago Cubs are getting closer and closer to figuring exactly what players will make up their 2026 Opening Day roster. Indeed, it has been an exciting spring thus far and numerous young players are primed to make the Major League roster.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / March 9

An updated look at the Cubs’ Opening Day 26-man roster

Sunday, as you know, the Cubs made their first Spring Training roster cuts. There are now 53 players remaining in camp, and that number’s likely to remain fairly large until the World Baseball Classic ends.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / March 9

What Role Cubs Prospect Kevin Alcantara Would Play if He's Actually Called Up

The Chicago Cubs' battle for the fourth outfielder is heating up as we get closer to Opening Day. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ already have their starting spots locked down.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / March 9

Chicago Cubs history unpacked, March 9

Free of charge for the discerning reader. Indians in Cleveland, women in the locker room, and other stories On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / March 8

Notable Chicago Cubs prospect missing WBC receives encouraging injury update

A few weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs were just starting Spring Training games. Early on, players participating in the 2026 Word Baseball Classic got priority when it came to playing time, ensuring they were ready for the international tournament.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NFL tackles-for-loss leaders' quiz

The 'Team USA 2026 WBC roster' quiz

The '50-HR, .300 average MLB seasons' quiz

The 'NFL year-by-year sack leaders' quiz

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / March 8

Giants 9, Cubs 5: A tale of two games

MESA, Arizona — The Cubs who played in this game who will actually be on the Opening Day roster did very well. They got five runs out of (most) of the starting lineup and three relievers who will be in the Opening Day bullpen threw scoreless innings (and so did Luke Little, which is a good sign).

Porter Hodge News / Chicago Cubs on SI / March 8

Cubs Right-Hander Lands on IL Due to Right Flexor Strain

Spring Training, at its core, is an opportunity. Players and prospects need to show their franchise why they deserve a spot on the 40-man roster come Opening Day.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / March 8

Chicago Cubs: Several pitchers are heading to the injured list

Cubs manager Craig Counsell reveals that the team’s pitching depth will be a bit banged up heading into the regular season. Per Cubs beat Bruce Levine, Counsell said both LHP Jordan Wicks and RHP Porter Hodge will start the season on the IL.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 8

Porter Hodge, Jordan Wicks likely to begin season on Cubs' IL

Right-hander Porter Hodge and left-hander Jordan Wicks are each dealing with arm problems and will probably start the season on the 15-day injured list, Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian).

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / March 8

Cubs Announce First Round of Spring Training Roster Cuts Including Top Prospect

Spring Training not only marks the beginning of the baseball season but also provides teams with essential tangible evidence of how their roster and prospects may perform when it matters.

Chicago Cubs News / Athlon Sports / March 8

Cubs Lose Two Players to Injury Before Opening Day

Over the last couple of seasons, bullpen issues have been a thorn in the side of the Chicago Cubs bids for serious contention, with manager Craig Counsell scrambling to piece together a patchwork collection of healthy and reliable arms where there were few.

Javier Assad News / ChiCitySports / March 9

Javier Assad seems set on ruining Cubs’ Plan A

The Chicago Cubs’ depth in the area of starting pitching has been well documented. If everyone stays healthy and performs up to expectations– and that’s a big “if’ – they could be carrying as many as 10 possible big league starters on their roster.

Ian Happ News / Athlon Sports / March 2

Cubs Facing Big Decision After Ian Happ's Comments

Chicago Cubs star outfielder Ian Happ is set to enter MLB free agency following the 2026 MLB season. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career in Chicago with the Cubs, but there is a chance that 2026 will be his final year with the ball club.