Kevin Gausman may be in rare situation for upcoming Cubs debut

Kevin Gausman. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kevin Gausman may be in rare situation for upcoming Cubs debut

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 5:26 PM ET

On Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays will play a makeup game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, a rubber match originally scheduled for June 21.

Former Blue Jay Kevin Gausman started Game 1 and, since it's in line with his regular rest, could make his Cubs debut on Thursday, starting for both teams in the same series.

This is a similar scenario the Blue Jays had with Danny Jansen on August 26, 2024, when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. Gausman was traded to the Cubs on Sunday for Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene. The Cubs will be retaining the remainder of Gausman's $7.3 million salary this season.

As a Blue Jay, Gausman had a solid career with 861 innings pitched, which is third in MLB since 2022, a 3.62 ERA, 920 strikeouts, a 3.20 FIP, a 116 ERA+ and a 20.6 fWAR.

Kevin Gausman is currently in line to make his Cubs debut on Thursday against the Blue Jays pic.twitter.com/2qTP0SMIze
— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) August 3, 2026

Kevin Gausman set to face his former team in Cubs debut

Gausman is a 2023 All-Star who was acquired as a much-needed reinforcement to help bolster the Cubs' rotation. While it hasn't yet been announced who will be facing Gausman on Thursday, it would be interesting if it was newly acquired Jameson Taillon, a former Cub.

It will definitely be a historically heartfelt performance for Gausman, who relished his time spent with the Blue Jays and grew a strong passion for the city of Toronto.

Gausman was roughed up in his last outing against the Cubs on June 19, where he picked up the loss and only pitched two innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits with four walks in a 16-2 smackdown from the Cubs.

It will be compelling to see how the veteran will pitch against his former team, as emotions will definitely be riding high. When Gausman last pitched for the Blue Jays on Saturday, he knew it was likely his final start as he acknowledged the Blue Jays' standing ovation as he exited the mound.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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