The Cubs simply couldn’t afford to wait any longer.
After adding both Edward Cabrera (hamstring/adductor) and Ben Brown (neck) to the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, the Cubs struck a late-night deal, bringing in left-handed pitcher David Peterson from the New York Mets. In return, Chicago sent infield prospect Cole Mathis to the Mets.
Peterson, 30, should enjoy a short commute to join his new club. The move was first reported by ESPN shortly after the Cubs swept a day-night doubleheader in Queens against the Mets on Wednesday night.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the lefty thus far in 2026, sporting a 6.09 ERA in 68.0 innings over 16 appearances, including eight starts. His peripherals, however, tell a bit of a different story. Despite his — and the Mets’ — struggles this season, Peterson has induced groundballs 51.1 percent of the time, sports an xFIP of 4.05 and is just two years removed from a 2.90 ERA in 121.0 innings.
For as much as the club would love to unlock that 2024 version of him, the Cubs don’t even need Peterson to become a top-of-the-rotation starter. This is about weathering a torrential storm and being able to field a full rotation. Peterson — whose contract runs through the end of the season — helps with that for now.
Cabrera, who underwent testing in New York on Wednesday to determine the extent of the leg injury he suffered covering first base on Tuesday night, does not have a timetable to return. Neither does Brown — the Cubs’ ace and saving grace for the past month-plus — after being added to the injured list with a neck strain. The team is reportedly unsure whether this injury is related to or similar to the neck injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely.
Brown and Cabrera are just the latest in a long line of Cubs arms on the injured list. Jameson Taillon (hamstring) isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break. Cade Horton (elbow) is out for the season. Justin Steele, who hasn’t appeared in a game since last April, likely won’t start for the Cubs in 2026 but could contribute out of the bullpen later in the season, according to Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.
The team also added closer Daniel Palencia to the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation on June 16.
It isn’t all bad news on the injury front for the Cubs. Matt Boyd is set to return from the injured list on Thursday to make his first start in nearly two months. Boyd injured his knee and required a meniscus trim after feeling discomfort while playing with his kids at home. He then suffered a minor setback in his rehab (shoulder soreness), requiring him to miss extra time.
Mathis, 23, was drafted in the second round of the 2024 draft by the Cubs out of the College of Charleston. Formerly the Cubs’ No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline’s top 30, Mathis is slashing .272/.396/.585 with 10 home runs in 39 games between Single A and High-A.
CHGO staff weighs in on the move
Patrick Norton: It’s not a sexy move but a necessary one. Peterson’s name carries enough weight to raise some eyebrows, but he frankly hasn’t been as decent since 2024. Still, the Cubs aren’t asking for much — just a body to chew up some innings. Peterson can, however, be more than that. Especially with multiple Gold Glovers behind him.
But it is just one blow after another for the rotation right now. It feels a bit like the influx of tornadoes in Illinois right now: a seemingly never-ending phenomenon that won’t be seen to this extent for quite some time. The injury bug hasn’t just bitten the Cubs; it’s a full-on infestation. Even beyond the commonly mentioned group, there’s Hunter Harvey (triceps), Riley Martin (elbow) and Porter Hodge (elbow).
And while trading for Peterson is a perfectly acceptable move on June 25th, Hoyer will need to get creative to bring in bona fide replacements in the event Brown and Cabrera miss any significant stretch of time, which appears likelier than not at this point.
Late-night emergency pod featuring Joey Christopoulos and Sean Anderson:
