Chicago Cubs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Cubs Terms With Cade Townsend Less Than Expected, Ink Four Other 2026 Draft Picks

The Chicago Cubs have officially inked Cade Townsend, the club's 2026 first-round draft pick, to a deal. The team announced via a media release on Friday that it had agreed to terms with Townsend, along with four other draft picks.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Cubs Minor League Wrap: Owen Ayers debuts in Iowa

The Cubs have officially signed the following draft picks: 1st round—RHP Cade Townsend 3rd round—RHP Carson Jasa 4th round—RHP Dylan Marionneaux 7th round—LHP Cole Tryba 10th round—RHP Luke Alwood Catcher Owen Ayers was promoted from Double-A Knoxville to Triple-A Iowa.

Daniel Palencia News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 17

‘Unclear’ Daniel Palencia injury update will concern Cubs fans

Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia is dealing with an elbow injury. The Cubs have battled no shortage of injury concerns throughout the season. Before the game on Friday night against the Minnesota Twins, Cubs manager Craig Counsell provided multiple injury updates, including some news in reference to Palencia’s recovery.

MLB News / Viral Sports News / July 17

Cubs Make Notable $3.1 Million Signing Ahead of Twins Series

The Chicago Cubs are set to begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at the iconic Wrigley Field. Fresh off a solid road victory, the team looks to build momentum as they return home for an important stretch of games.

New York Yankees News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

MLB began awarding the All-Star Game MVP Award during the 1962 season. How many of the MVPs since then can you name in eight minutes?

The 'National League MVPs' quiz

The 'MLB Home Run Derby winners' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game managers' quiz

Pete Crow-Armstrong News / On Tap Sports Net / July 17

The Cubs Can’t Afford to Waste Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Historic Season

Pete Crow-Armstrong has already established himself as one of baseball’s newest stars, but what he’s doing this season goes far beyond a typical breakout campaign.

MLB News / Yardbarker

Every first-overall MLB draft pick from the 21st century

The MLB Draft doesn’t get the same attention as the NFL Draft…or the NBA Draft…or even the NHL Draft. There’s the element of a stay in a farm system, the general lack of immediate impact for MLB draft picks, and the fact that it’s tougher for one MLB player to turn a franchise’s fortunes around.

Chicago Cubs News / On Tap Sports Net / July 17

Will Wildfire Smoke Impact the Cubs Game? What Cubs Fans Need to Know

Chicago Cubs fans heading to tonight’s game may want to keep an eye on the sky. Canadian wildfire smoke moving across parts of the region has raised questions about air quality and whether it could impact conditions at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs News / On Tap Sports Net / July 17

Cubs Move On From Four Veteran Pitchers, But One Familiar Face Isn’t Gone for Long

The Chicago Cubs continued reshaping their pitching depth on Friday, saying goodbye to several veteran arms who were brought into the organization as reclamation projects over the course of the season.

MLB News / On Tap Sports Net / July 17

The Second Half Starts Now, and the Cubs Have No Time to Waste Against the Twins

The MLB All-Star break is officially over, which means the games are about to matter even more. The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field on Friday night

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / July 17

Chicago Cubs prospect named as ideal trade bait ahead of deadline

The Chicago Cubs are staring down a tough situation. They may have to trade away a good chunk of their young talent in a bid to add some much-needed pitching by the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

Liam Hendriks News / Cubs Insider / July 17

Cubs Release Former White Sox Closer Liam Hendriks

There won’t be a South Side reliever reunion at Wrigley, as the Cubs have released former closer Liam Hendriks. They lost Aaron Bummer to free agency after he opted out of his minor league deal.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

The 20 greatest MLB teams to never win the World Series

Even the most successful regular-season teams in Major League Baseball have failed to win it all. Here's our list of 20 such clubs that fall into that category.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / July 17

Chicago Cubs trade deadline aggression may hinge on one key factor

The Chicago Cubs are set to begin the second half of the season five games behind the first place Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central Division and a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the top NL Wild Card spot.

Jake Woodford News / MLB Trade Rumors / July 17

Cubs Re-Sign Jake Woodford To Minor League Deal

Veteran righty Jake Woodford went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment by the Cubs this week. He elected free agency, per the MiLB.com transaction log, but he’s headed right back to the Cubs on a new minor league deal, MLBTR has learned.

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

The 'Rushing TD leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The 'MLB Home Run Derby winners' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star starting pitchers' quiz

Aaron Bummer News / MLB Trade Rumors / July 17

Aaron Bummer Opts Out Of Cubs Deal

Veteran left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer opted out of his minor league contract with the Cubs and is now a free agent, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / July 17

5 bold predictions for the Cubs second half

Back in January I posted five bold predictions for the Cubs this season. And two of them still actually have a chance of happening! Those two are: Pete Crow-Armstrong having a 40/40 season (he’d have to step up his pace a bit, but given how hot a hitter he’s been, it’s still possible) and the Cubs winning 92 games and the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / July 17

Cubs dodged a $22 million bullet after former reliever capitalized on breakout season

Last off-season, the Chicago Cubs saw a few members of their elite bullpen depart in free agency, while initially bringing back only Caleb Thielbar on a one year, $4.0 million deal.

Colin Rea News / Field Level Media / July 16

Twins, Cubs enter series hoping All-Star break didn't cool them off

The Chicago Cubs entered the All-Star break on a red-hot streak. After a few days off, they will hit the play button and try to pick up from where they paused the action.

Anthony Rizzo News / Athlon Sports / July 16

Cubs Make Anthony Rizzo Announcement After 10 Years

The Chicago Cubs announced plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the franchise's historic 2016 World Series championship, with franchise legend Anthony Rizzo returning to Wrigley Field for the festivities.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 16

Cubs’ biggest steal in 2026 MLB Draft

Caden Sorrell stands out as the clearest and most defensible value selection in the Chicago Cubs’ 2026 draft class, four days after the conclusion of the MLB Draft.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / July 16

The 5 Cubs Who Could Be on the Move at the MLB Trade Deadline

The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline is just over two weeks away. The Chicago Cubs, who sit 12 games over .500 and five games out of first place in the National League Central, have most of their work cut out for them.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / July 15

What the Cubs' First-Round Draft Pick Says About Their Long-Term Vision

The dust from the 2026 MLB Draft has settled, as has all the fanfare from All-Star Week festivities. And before regular-season action gets up and running again, we can sit back and take a closer look at how the Chicago Cubs laid the groundwork for their future with the top of their draft class.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 15

Predicting Cubs’ biggest move before MLB trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs have endured an inconsistent season at times but they are a contender nonetheless. Chicago is set to enter the second half of the 2026 campaign with a 54-42 overall record, which is good for second place in the National League Central standings.