Cubs Returning from Injury Power Rankings

There’s been a staggering amount of potential good news on the injury front for the Cubs over the past week, potentially impacting how aggressive they are in the trade market. I was thinking they would go after two or three relievers, but with some bullpen arms getting healthy, I could see them being more aggressive in trying to get a starter who could pitch in a playoff game, assuming they make it.

But here are my rankings for the potential impact of some guys set to return from injury.

1. Ben Brown – I’ve read that it is unlikely that Brown will have time to be stretched out to start again this season. But if he could even give the Cubs 3 to 4 innings as an opener in a big game, and provide the same quality were saw in him before the injury, it would be huge.
   
2. Daniel Palencia – The bullpen has been running on fumes lately, with guys like Thornton, Rolison and Webb closing out games. Getting Palencia back would allow those players to go back to setup roles. We never really saw the dominance in a Cubs uniform that we saw in the WBC, and there is a big question of what his command will look like when he returns. But getting a top-flight closer for the stretch run and playoffs would be a huge addition.
   
3. Matt Shaw – Pedro Ramirez has been excellent as the backup infielder and occasional DH. But Shaw also gives the Cubs a decent outfielder, with very good speed. He would very easily take the spot currently occupied by James Triantos, and might also give the Cubs the flexibility to bring Moises Ballesteros back up to be a left-handed DH/pinch-hitter/3rd catcher, replacing Justin Dean. Having a 3rd catcher could be valuable down the stretch, as in those games where Carson Kelly is be used as a DH, the Cubs could pinch run for Miguel Amaya and not lose the DH spot.
   
4. Edward Cabrera – He’s not been great when healthy, but he’s shown some flashes that indicate that he could be a decent starter down the stretch. He has had issues with blisters this season, which have impacted his availability and effectiveness, so I wonder if the Cubs would consider using him out of the bullpen, especially if they are able to trade for a top of the rotation starter.
   
5. Hoby Milner – Not as flashy a name as some of the players below him, Milner was very effective as a high volume guy who could come in for an inning where the opposing team has left-handed hitters due. Losing him to an appendectomy seemed like a symbol of the bad injury luck the Cubs have faced with their pitching all season, so it will be good to get him back.
   
6. Justin Steele – Steele is the first real wild-card on this list, as I’m not sure the Cubs will even pitch him at all this season. And if he does pitch, how effective will he be after such a long time off? He won’t start, but could potentially pitch out of the bullpen. I have a vague dream about Brown and Stelle combining to pitch about 7 innings in a playoff game, but it is very unlikely that comes to pass.
   
7. Hunter Harvey – Another wil- card, I really did not expect to see him come back, when there was almost no news for about 2 months. That being said, he was not effective in his brief tenure of good health. So, combining that with his track record of getting injured, I don’t think the Cubs can really count on him for any significant contributions. But, he has the velocity and strikeout rate that they could really use, so maybe?
   
8. Riley Martin – Martin pitched effectively in his brief time in the majors, but with acquisitions on the horizon, there might not be space for him with the team this season. The Cubs also have Thielbar, Rolison, Milner and possibly Justin Stelle who are all left-handers.
   
9. Ethan Roberts – He’ll also be impacted by the numbers game. He’s on a rehab assignment right now, so he might make it back to the big league for a few games while other injured pitchers complete their rehab assignments.
   
10. Phil Maton – His 2026 with the Cubs has been a disaster, and he’s under contract for 2027. After his recent knee treatment, I could see them moving him to the 60-day IL, hoping he comes back fully healthy for next season.
    
11. Shelby Miller – He was signed specifically to be ready in 2027, but he has been making lots of progress. I don’t think the Cubs will push a return unless he looks phenomenal in his rehab. They Cubs have 4 players on this list on the 60-day IL, so they will need to clean up roster spots to bring back any of them AND make room for acquisitions.

So that is really 4 pitchers and 1 position player that I am pretty confident will see significant time down the stretch.

Unfortunately, I think we will see other playoff contenders in the NL making moves via trades. So, despite these players returning, I still believe the Cubs need to be very aggressive on the trade market to improve the team.