Overview
- Edward Cabrera is expected to be activated and start Saturday while Matthew Boyd is scheduled for one more rehab outing this weekend before rejoining the rotation.
- The urgency for those returns comes after a sharp decline in starting pitching that pushed the Cubs from a 27–12 start to 32–30 and produced a 6.33 rotation ERA over the recent stretch.
- President Jed Hoyer says the club will lean on its internal pitchers for the near term and stressed that the roster depth the team counted on has been pushed to its limits.
- Top pitching prospects have been sidelined, with Cade Horton undergoing season‑ending elbow surgery, Justin Steele stalled by a flexor setback, and Jaxon Wiggins limited by elbow inflammation.
- Right‑hander Ben Brown and a generally steady bullpen have provided relief but not a full solution, and analysts are urging the Cubs to consider a trade for an established ace before the August deadline.