Chicago Cubs News Page 2 - MLB

Dansby Swanson - Aims to swap power for more contact Swanson is willing to swap some power for more contact in 2026, Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Swanson has clubbed at least 22 home runs in four of the past five seasons, but he also has a strikeout rate over 25 percent during that span and would like to cut that down. The 32-year-old's chase rate has been consistently above league average, but his in-zone contact rate has been well below average, as he ranked 129th out of 144 qualifiers in that metric in 2025. Swanson went 20-20 last season but still finished outside the top-12 in fantasy at a loaded shortstop position.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ian Happ on Matt Shaw's Glove Gaffe: 'The Guy Hasn't Played a Lot of Outfield' Matt Shaw was displaced in the offseason after the Chicago Cubs committed to a five-year deal to have Alex Bregman play third base. Shaw is...

2 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

6 Cubs feeling the heat this spring after ownership lays down the gauntlet After two straight disappointing seasons to begin the Craig Counsell era, the Ricketts want to see a winner — now.

2 DAYS AGO • FANSIDED.COM

Cubs' Moises Ballesteros looking to take the next step this year | Sporting News Ballesteros could play a major role for the Cubs this upcoming season.

2 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Chicago Cubs Reveal New One-Word Slogan Ahead Of New Season, And Its Simplicity Makes It Great The Cubs have unveiled new slogans ahead of the new season over recent years, and this year's phrase is actually pretty great.

2 DAYS AGO • OUTKICK.COM

Alex Bregman Speaks About His New Team, His Old Team Speaks About His Departure You have to believe the Red Sox are bummed they couldn't bring Alex Bregman back.

2 DAYS AGO • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Justin Steele - Targeting May or June return Steele (elbow) has been throwing 30-pitch bullpen sessions and is targeting a return to the majors in May or June, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun Times reports.

Impact Steele underwent UCL revision surgery on his left elbow in mid-April of last year, and the southpaw is currently building up strength before he's able to return later in 2026. He was Chicago's Opening Day starter in 2024 and has a career 3.30 regular-season ERA, so there's plenty of upside in his arm, but the Cubs will undoubtedly be cautious in his return, and there could be a good degree of rust as well. Fantasy managers should target the 30-year-old as an intriguing stash candidate in 2026, though expectations should be tempered due to the long layoff. It's also possible Steele returns to a bullpen role, at least initially, with Chicago adding Edward Cabrera in the offseason to bolster its rotation.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Could DH often against lefties Suzuki figures to see regular playing time in right field but will also be a top DH option, particularly against lefties, when Matt Shaw may frequently cover right field, Bruce Lev...

Impact Shaw almost exclusively played third base as a rookie in 2025, but the addition of Alex Bregman will push the former into more of a utility role. The Cubs are expected to use Shaw some in the outfield, particularly against lefties, who he performed much better against last year. Shaw's ability to play right field will allow Suzuki to get plenty of days off from playing the field, even with the offseason departure of Kyle Tucker creating a sizeable hole in right. Suzuki made 102 of his 149 regular-season starts at DH in 2025, and he enjoyed a career year from a power standpoint, blasting 32 home runs to go along with 103 RBI and an .804 OPS. Moises Ballesteros (personal) figures to be Chicago's other primary DH option on days when Suzuki plays the field.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Matt Shaw - Likely to start in RF versus LHP The Cubs are expected to start Shaw in right field against left-handed pitchers, Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Per Levine, manager Craig Counsell said that Shaw will play a lot in the outfield, and that will likely include starting in right field versus lefties while Seiya Suzuki slides into the designated hitter spot. Shaw played the outfield a bit in college and in summer ball but has not spent an inning there at the professional level. The 24-year-old appears poised to operate in a super utility role for the Cubs this season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

National League Offseason Grades: Dodgers, Cubs Earn High Marks It’s been a busy winter across baseball. With spring training finally underway, it’s time to hand out some grades for each team’s roster mov...

2 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Veterans and a top prospect square off for the Cubs' fourth outfielder spot | Sporting News This bench spot could be big for the Cubs.

3 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Back with Japan, Suzuki looks to bring year-end hot streak into Classic MESA, Ariz. -- Seiya Suzuki was excited to play a key role for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic three years ago, but an injury in la...

3 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Veteran-laden Cubs could 'do something really special' after reaching NLDS in '25 MESA, Ariz. – Cubs manager Craig Counsell is not big on speeches. He believes there is more value in the conversations that happen throughou...

3 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Tom Ricketts Speaks: Message to the Team, Winning the Division, Spending, Deferrals, RSNs, More Chicago Cubs Owner and Chairman Tom Ricketts spoke at Cubs camp today.

3 DAYS AGO • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Angels' Mike Trout announces new position for 2026 Angels veteran Mike Trout has a new position for 2026. It's the position he's most familiar with in a career that includes three MVP awards...

3 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Sports betting roundup: Edwards win MVP at NBA All-Star Game on slow weekend for sports in the US

It was a relatively slow weekend for sports in the United States with the NBA turning its attention to the All-Star Game and the NHL off for the Olympic break

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Moises Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt Still Delayed by Visa Issues for a While Moises Ballesteros will not be in camp for at least another week.

3 DAYS AGO • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Pete Crow-Armstrong - Seeking more consistent swing After fading down the stretch last season, Crow-Armstrong is aiming to make his swing more consistent this year in an effort to find more sustained success at the plate, Jordan Bas...

Impact Crow-Armstrong was one of the top players in the league before the All-Star break, blasting 25 home runs and posting an .846 OPS. However, he faded some after the break, as he mustered only six long balls and a .634 OPS. Chicago assistant hitting coach John Mallee said he noticed that as the season went on, the talented outfielder developed a longer stride in his swing, which led him to miss more pitches or make weaker contact when he did connect. Crow-Armstrong still had a great season with the 31 long balls and 35 stolen bases, making him one of only seven players in all of baseball to get to 30 in each of those categories. The 23-year-old's combination of power and speed makes him a valuable fantasy asset, and he could take a step forward in 2026 if he tightens up his swing and makes more consistent contact all year.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Cubs Coach's Comments to Edward Cabrera in Training Is Exactly What Fans Want to Hear Chicago Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera was a needed addition to a starting rotation without a high-upside ace. While the results haven't always...

4 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Consistency the key for PCA after up-and-down breakout season MESA, Ariz. -- Something that Nico Hoerner said to Pete Crow-Armstrong resonated with the 23-year-old center fielder and stuck with him thro...

4 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Red Sox President Sam Kennedy Makes Stance On Alex Bregman Clear - NESN.com Boston Red Sox president and chief executive officer Sam Kennedy didn’t beat around the bush when fielding question about Alex Bregman on Su...

4 DAYS AGO • NESN.COM

Red Sox president Sam Kennedy makes something clear about Alex Bregman's departure to the Cubs The Boston Red Sox, led by president Sam Kennedy, witnessed the departure of one of their top stars, Alex Bregman, to the Chicago Cubs.

4 DAYS AGO • BOLAVIP.COM

Moisés Ballesteros - Not expected back until next week Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Ballesteros (personal) isn't expected to report to camp until next weekend at the soonest, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact The Cubs are short on catching depth for the early part of camp, as Ballesteros and non-roster invitee Christian Bethancourt continue to work through visa issues that have delayed their arrival in the United States. A poor defender, Ballesteros likely won't be counted on to make frequent starts behind the plate with the Cubs in 2026, but he's an impact bat who could push his way into the everyday lineup as a designated hitter. Ballesteros didn't look overmatched in his first exposure to big-league pitching last season, slashing .298/.394/.474 with a 13.6 percent walk rate and 18.2 percent strikeout rate over his 66 plate appearances for Chicago.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ben Cowles - Designated for assignment The Cubs designated Cowles for assignment Sunday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Impact After being claimed off waivers by the Cubs in January, the 26-year-old will lose his place on the 40-man roster to clear space for the signing of Shelby Miller (elbow). Cowles will now be exposed to waivers, but he'll likely stick in big-league camp even if he goes unclaimed.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

New Cubs Teammate Helping Pete Crow-Armstrong Improve at the Plate Alex Bregman is well-known as a student of baseball. Paired with strong leadership and communication, his sharp observational skills nearly...

4 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

INJURIES

PLAYER NEWS

Sports betting roundup: Edwards win MVP at NBA All-Star Game on slow weekend for sports in the US

CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

NEWS

SCHEDULE

STANDINGS

STATS

ROSTER

VIDEOS

ODDS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

PLAYER NEWS

Sports betting roundup: Edwards win MVP at NBA All-Star Game on slow weekend for sports in the US