Chicago Cubs surprise roster projection has one unexpected name

Given all the additions and the general feeling that the team is pretty much ready to go for the 2026 season, there’s still some room for a surprise or two when it comes to who makes the Opening Day roster.

Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue recently offered up his prediction for the Opening Day roster and it featured just one name that bucked general expectations– Gavin Hollowell.

Yellon feels that the recent injuries of Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks create a path for the 28-year-old to make the team, especially considering the outstanding spring he’s had so far:

“This opens a spot, and opportunity, for Hollowell, who’s looked really good this spring: Four innings, two hits, no walks, one run, has struck out eight of the 14 batters he’s faced. Yes, small sample size and some are minor-league hitters. Still, Jed Hoyer has had good luck getting good relievers off the scrap heap and Hollowell could be another one of those.”

Hollowell’s 2.25 Cactus League ERA is catching eyes and he looks to be throwing the ball with confidence and command.

A former Colorado Rockies prospect, the 6-foot-7 righty was selected off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks in June of 2024 and then selected off waivers by the Cubs in August of the same year.

He hasn’t had a whole lot of sustained success anywhere he’s pitched, posting a career 5.79 ERA in 40 big league games and a 6.96 ERA in Triple-A Iowa last season (with a 4.82 ERA in 9.1 major league innings).

Cubs confidence in young pitcher

But the Cubs seem to love the potential Hollowell carries with him and likely feel that he’s just a tweak or two away from being a consistent bullpen asset.

Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation feels the Cubs love for Hollowell and also opines on the reasons they decided to keep him around through his struggles:

“It was telling that, despite those bad numbers and not having established himself previously with the Rockies, the Cubs kept the 28-year-old righty on the 40-man all offseason and into the spring. He’s got one option year remaining, and obviously there’s still some belief that it could finally all click. Like last year, though, he’s going to face an exceedingly crowded group of 9th/10th/11th/12th/etc. relief options, and the early-season goal for him is probably going to be trying to put himself into position to be one of the first up-down guys called upon when needed.”

He will have plenty of competition for that last bullpen spot. The Cubs stockpiled a lot of arms this offseason and have a few from the farm system garnering attention. But Hollowell fits the bill of a Cubs reclamation project come to fruition, ala Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz last season. He’ll get his chance to prove the Cubs’ confidence in him right.