Cubs claim Ben Cowles off waivers from Blue Jays

Just like that, Ben Cowles’ tenure as a Toronto Blue Jay has come to an end.

On Sunday evening, numerous sources reported that the Chicago Cubs have reclaimed Cowles off waivers, ending his tenure at 11 days. With Cowles being claimed, the Blue Jays now have 39 players on their 40-man roster, with that open spot likely to be used on Max Scherzer.

Cowles, who was claimed by the Blue Jays for infield depth in mid-Febraury, appeared in five games during Spring Training for the Blue Jays, where he failed to get on base and struck out five times over nine plate appearances.

It hasn’t been a good season for a player looking to rebound after a tough 2025. Splitting time between the Cubs and Chicago White Sox’s Triple-A teams, Cowles slashed .235/.300/.371 with nine home runs in 527 plate appearances for a 71 wRC+. Cowles’ big breakout came in 2024 in the New York Yankees system, where he slashed .294/.376/.472 with nine home runs in 378 plate appearances.

Traded at the 2024 trade deadline for former Blue Jay Mark Leiter Jr., Cowles appeared in four games for the Cubs’ Double-A team. This happens to be the third time the Cubs have acquired Cowles, either through a trade or on waivers, as he was designated for assignment by the Cubs, but was later claimed from the White Sox.

The Blue Jays acquired Cowles as an insurance policy of sorts, as Leo Jiménez is out of options and must make the team or be placed on waivers, where he’ll surely be claimed. Cowles has options and plays the infield just like Jiménez, with a somewhat similar skill-set. That said, he was always on the bubble if the Jays needed to add someone to the 40-man roster, such as Scherzer.

After Cowles’ departure, the Blue Jays only have one player on the 40-man roster who isn’t a lock to make the roster – Jiménez. That said, Josh Kasevich has put his name in the hat if the Blue Jays need an infielder from Triple-A.