Cubs bolster rotation by acquiring Mets David Peterson

The Chicago Cubs have not been able to keep their starting rotation healthy, which prompted president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to make an early trade.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Cubs acquired left-hander David Peterson in a trade with the New York Mets, who will help their injury-riddled starting rotation. According to The Athletics Will Sammon, the Mets are receiving first baseman/third baseman Cole Mathis (Cubs No. 13 prospect) in return for Peterson. 

Mathis, 22, was a second-round draft pick from the College of Charleston and is currently on the seven-day injured list. Mathis has appeared in two levels in the Cubs' minor league system this season (High-A South Bend and Low-A Myrtle Beach). 

In 39 games, the Georgia native batted .272 with an OPS of .981, 12 doubles, and 10 home runs. 

Injuries to the starting rotation prompted the Cubs to acquire a starter

On Wednesday, the Cubs placed two more starting pitchers, right-handers Edward Cabrera (left hamstring strain) and Ben Brown (neck strain), decimating their starting rotation. Five starting pitchers, who could all be in the rotation, currently occupy the injured list. 

Peterson had fallen out of favor with the Mets and had lost his starting job after his poor outing against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 21. Peterson allowed four earned runs (five total runs) and walked two in four innings. 

Peterson spent all seven seasons of his big league career in Queens and with the Mets organization, for close to a decade since he was drafted in the first round (20th overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft. In 123 games started (147 games), Peterson had a 40-36 record with a 4.31 ERA and was named an All-Star in 2025. 

David Peterson should find a new life pitching with the Cubs

A change of scenery might not be the worst thing for Peterson, who will be used solely as a starting pitcher now that he is a Cub. The shuffling between the starting rotation and the bullpen hasn't helped Peterson, as he had a 7.71 ERA and a .331 batting average against in eight starts and a 4.11 ERA and a .242 batting average against in eight appearances. 

This inconsistency caused the 30-year-old to develop a "take the ball" mentality while with the Mets. 

He won't have to worry about that with the Cubs, as Peterson will likely get a chance to start when the Cubs face the Brewers on June 26-28. Manager Craig Counsell has not listed who will start during the series, given the injuries. 

But Peterson will likely go either Friday or Saturday, depending on whether Counsell wants to break up his lefties. Matthew Boyd will start on Thursday after his activation from the injured list.