Jonathon Long - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Back in action Saturday Long (elbow) went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Impact After facing live pitchers in a side session Friday, Long returned to game action a day later for the first time since late February. The 24-year-old sprained his elbow attempting to reach for a wide throw to first base, but he sustained no structural damage, and he now looks fully good to go after a few weeks of rehab work. Long is expected to begin the regular season with Triple-A Iowa and give the Cubs some depth with high upside behind Michael Busch.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Faces pitchers Friday Long (elbow) faced live pitching Friday as he continues to ramp up his activity level, MLB.com reports.

Impact Long has resumed regular workouts and now facing live pitching is another step forward in his rehab process from an injury he sustained in an exhibition game last month. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a left elbow bruise and cleared of any structural issues earlier in March, so he should be fully healthy in the near future. Long figures to being the season with Triple-A Iowa and could push toward the majors at some point if he continues to tear up the level like he did in 2025.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return to baseball work Long was diagnosed with a bruise and cleared of any structural issues with his left elbow, putting him on track to potentially return to baseball activities by the end of the week,...

Impact The 24-year-old was unable to join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic due to the injury, but he's now progressing toward game action. If he can avoid any setbacks, Long could be ready to join Triple-A Iowa for the start of the minor-league season.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play in WBC Long (elbow) will not join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic, deciding instead to stay in camp to focus on his rehab, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Long has been dealing with a left elbow sprain and has been on the mend over the past week. His original plan was to simply delay his departure for the WBC, but now the 24-year-old has opted out of playing entirely. While it's a disappointing development for Long, the decision makes sense in terms of getting fully healthy for the regular season. The youngster figures to start the year with Triple-A Iowa, where he'll look to build on the 20 home runs and .885 OPS he posted across 140 games at the same level in 2025.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs' Long won't join Chinese Taipei's Classic team due to elbow issue MESA, Ariz. – Jonathon Long was looking forward to experiencing the World Baseball Classic, especially considering his taste of the upcoming...

FEBRUARY 26 • MLB.COM

Swings bat Tuesday Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Long (elbow) took some swings Tuesday and feels better, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Long suffered a sprained left (non-throwing) elbow on a collision at first base over the weekend, but he's on the mend. The 24-year-old had planned to leave Tuesday for Japan to join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic, but he will delay his departure until Friday. It would appear the Cubs plan to give the go-ahead for Long to play in the WBC.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with elbow sprain Long exited Saturday's Cactus League game against Texas with a sprained left elbow, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact The 24-year-old prospect suffered the injury while attempting to catch a wide throw to first base that put his arm in the path of Mark Canha, leading to a collision. Long will likely miss some time while he recovers, though it's still unknown whether his injury will impact his availability for the start of the regular season.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Injures wrist Saturday Long was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers with an apparent left wrist injury, Matthew Postins of SI.com reports.

Impact Mark Canha ran into Long's arm while the latter was attempting to catch a wide throw to first base in the fourth inning. The severity of his injury isn't immediately clear, but the Cubs should provide more information on his status in the near future.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Invited to camp The Cubs invited Long to Major League spring training on Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Long spent all of last season with Triple-A Iowa, where he sported a .307/.405/.480 slash line and mashed 20 home runs across 140 games. The 24-year-old is blocked at first base in the majors by Michael Busch, who had a breakout 2025 campaign. However, Busch is a left-handed bat who often sits against southpaws, so the right-handed Long could emerge as a potential platoon partner at some point in 2026. He also could factor into the DH mix if he makes his MLB debut this year.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Hits 20th homer Long is slashing .311/.410/.492 with 20 home runs, a 13.2 percent walk rate and a 19.1 percent strikeout rate in 132 games for Triple-A Iowa.

Impact The righty-hitting first baseman did everything in his power to force a promotion to the big leagues, but he's not on the 40-man roster and there's a logjam ahead of him on the organizational depth chart. Long has dabbled at third base and in left field, but it's unlikely the Cubs would play him at either of those positions in the majors. Michael Busch starts at first base against righties and Seiya Suzuki has started 102 games at designated hitter this year, with prospects who are on the 40-man like Moises Ballesteros, Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara also muddying Long's playing time outlook for 2026. Despite Long's stellar age-23 campaign, he won't need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason, so he will probably return to Triple-A next year indefinitely.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs' Jonathon Long Succeeds By 'Executing His Plan' A consistent routine and strong bat-to-ball skills have helped Cubs prospect Jonathon Long adapt to Triple-A in his first try at the level.

JUNE 3, 2025 • BASEBALLAMERICA.COM

Back in action at Triple-A Long (leg) struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance Tuesday in Triple-A Iowa's 3-2 loss to Columbus.

Impact Long exited Iowa's game Saturday due to a tight leg muscle, then sat out Sunday. After a team off day Monday, Long remained out of the lineup Tuesday, but his usage off the bench suggests that he'll avoid a stint on the 7-day injured list. It's unclear how soon he might resume playing either corner-infield spot, but Iowa could deploy him at designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. The 23-year-old is slashing .368/.429/.533 with a 9.5 percent walk rate and 25.3 percent strikeout rate in his first season at Triple-A.

MAY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Exits Triple-A game early Long left Saturday's game for Triple-A Iowa with a tight leg muscle, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

Impact Long is slashing .367/.429/.533 with four home runs, two steals, a 9.5 percent walk rate and a 24.9 percent strikeout rate in his first 40 games at Triple-A. His 33.9 percent hard-hit rate is strong, but Long's .486 BABIP illustrates his good fortune in the early going. He hasn't been placed on the IL and should be considered day-to-day for now.

MAY 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE