Chicago Cubs could address rotation questions with bold restructuring

The oft-injured Matthew Boyd, with his surgically-repaired arm, smashed all expectations last season by avoiding the IL and delivering 179.2 innings in the regular season and 9.2 innings in the playoffs. Shota Imanaga missed almost eight weeks with a hamstring issue that may or may not have thrown off his game for the rest of the season. Jameson Taillon had two separate stints on the IL last year. Rookie revelation Cade Horton, who has an extensive history of injury throughout college and the minors, went down with fractured ribs in late September and missed out on the postseason entirely. Ace Justin Steele, meanwhile, only managed four starts before a season-ending injury that required elbow surgery (It’s estimated that he could return to the rotation around mid-season).

So, what do you do with a rotation where every single starter carries a significant risk of injury?

Cubs considering a 6-man rotation?

The idea of going from a 5-man rotation to a 6-man rotation is currently being considered by the team, according to MLB insider Bruce Levine:

“Depending on pitching staff health, the Cubs will be exploring using a six man rotation this season. Past injuries to Imanaga, Steele and a veteran mix of Boyd and Taillon makes this a logical approach. Rea and Assad are excellent swing men. 7 bullpen guys is a challenge.”

The idea has been brought up before, as recently as early last season when the Cubs’ rotation also gave some signs of frailty. This year, though, there seems to be more substance behind the buzz– and maybe an even greater need to keep the starters healthy over the long haul as the team aims for an extended postseason run.

Sam Olbur of the Locked on Cubs podcast is all for this 6-man rotation proposal:

“I love the idea. I think it really benefits some of these guys. I think if Boyd had an extra day, his last five, six, seven, eight starts. If Shota got an extra day every start. Man, I really think that benefits these guys and I’m interested in seeing it. Even a guy like Cabrera, who battled his injuries…I think it just benefits everybody. The Cubs don’t really have a guy on their team…to where, you’re like, ‘every fifth day, that guy’s going seven innings, he’s throwing 200 innings a year.’ They really don’t have that guy.”

Maintaining the rotation over the long haul

And all of that is true. In the absence of a workhorse to eat innings, the Cubs will have to do whatever they can to make sure they have a strong core of starters throughout the pennant race and into the playoffs.

There will be the risk of throwing off the rhythm of starters used to a 5-man rotation. There will also be an added strain on the bullpen, which will then only be able to carry seven relievers rather than the customary eight.

The Cubs have depth when it comes to their rotation and at least three possible swing men– Colin Rea, Javier Assad, and Ben Brown– who can switch between starting duties and long relief. If the 6-man rotation idea is implemented, it may be put into play later in the season and maybe in spots where the schedule is less forgiving. It’s just as likely, though, that the starters’ innings will be monitored and long relief options employed more often.

As everyone learned last year when the Cubs’ rotation limped its way through the playoffs with only two viable starters, a team can never have enough pitching…and pitching options. Fortunately, the 2026 Cubs, barring a crazy rash of injuries, look to have the needed depth to make it over the long haul.