Cubs GM Reveals Next Steps to Address Injury Woes

The Chicago Cubs have stumbled out of the gates in a discouraging fashion during the early weeks of the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Positioned at the very bottom of the National League Central standings, the team is grappling with both on-field struggles and significant roster challenges that threaten to linger.

While the campaign remains young and opportunities for recovery exist, the franchise must navigate a pitching crisis that has left its rotation depleted.

Injuries have hit the Cubs’ starting staff particularly hard this spring. One of the most notable absences is that of former All-Star Justin Steele, who began the year on the injured list following major elbow surgery. The 2023 Cy Young contender continues to make steady progress in his rehabilitation, including throwing side sessions in Arizona.

Still, his return to game action is not imminent, with eligibility to pitch in the majors not arriving until May 24.

Compounding the rotation woes are the absences of two other key arms expected to anchor the staff. Matthew Boyd, viewed as a potential top-of-the-rotation option, landed on the injured list on April 6 with a bicep strain. Fortunately, the injury does not appear severe enough to sideline him for an extended period. In contrast, highly regarded prospect Cade Horton will sit out the entire 2026 season after suffering a significant UCL injury, removing one of the team’s most promising young talents from consideration.

With multiple starters unavailable, speculation has naturally turned toward possible external help through trades. However, the front office appears committed to a patient approach rather than pursuing aggressive moves at this stage. General manager Carter Hawkins provided insight into the organization’s strategy during recent comments.

“The most likely thing, in the short term, is within the organization,” Hawkins said, as shared by The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma.

Hawkins acknowledged the possibility of monitoring external opportunities but emphasized the practical difficulties of major roster transactions so early in the year.

“In April, it’s difficult to make moves like that,” Hawkins said. “But at the same time, we’ll obviously keep our lines in the water. You never know what opportunities might come up. But right now, I would focus on the guys internally.”

This internal focus leaves the Cubs relying on depth pieces already within the system as they attempt to stabilize the rotation. Among the immediate responses, the team has recalled veteran right-hander Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to fill the vacancy created by Boyd’s injury. Assad has a track record of solid contributions for Chicago in prior seasons and delivered an encouraging performance in his most recent outing, a strong start against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 7.

Additional internal candidates could emerge as the season progresses. Jordan Wicks and Kyle Wright represent potential reinforcements once they overcome their current recovery processes from separate setbacks. The organization may also look toward its top pitching prospect, Jaxon Wiggins, though expectations for an immediate impact remain tempered.

Analysts note that Wiggins, despite his immense potential, still requires further development at the minor league level. His early results with Iowa this season show a 5.63 ERA through two starts, suggesting he may not be fully prepared for the big-league environment until later in the summer at the earliest. For now, the Cubs must find ways to piece together innings from available arms while hoping for health and gradual returns from their injured pitchers.

As the team sits in last place with mounting questions surrounding its starting staff, the coming weeks will test Chicago’s ability to weather the storm without major external additions. Success in the months ahead may hinge on creative internal solutions and timely recoveries, allowing the club to climb back into contention in what remains a winnable division.