Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera at 'go time' as blister, struggles threaten playoff push

Chicago Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera is running out of time to prove he's the ace the team traded for last winter, and his latest outing against the St. Louis Cardinals did little to ease concerns. With less than 40 games remaining in the regular season, manager Craig Counsell made it clear the urgency is real.

“Frankly, we're at go time here,” Counsell said. “So I think you got to go. We're at a stage where with the people around the roster that it's go time. And I think Edward [Cabrera] understands that.”

Cabrera, who has been sidelined since June with a left hamstring strain, returned to the mound Sunday against the Cardinals. The results were rough: seven runs on six hits and three walks in just 3 2/3 innings. St. Louis took the lead by the third batter of the game, and Alec Burleson's 421-foot home run into the right field bleachers set the tone early.

What's going wrong for Cabrera?

The 28-year-old right-hander has struggled all season. His ERA sits at 5.04, and his strikeout rate has dropped significantly from the numbers that made him an attractive trade target. Last December, the Cubs sent top outfield prospect Owen Caissie and two other minor leaguers to the Miami Marlins to acquire Cabrera, largely because of his ability to rack up strikeouts, as high as 10 per nine innings in 2024.

On Sunday, Cabrera recorded just two strikeouts in 11 outs. Counsell pointed to a lack of separation between Cabrera's fastball and changeup as a key issue.

“The lack of swing and miss is concerning,” Counsell said. “The separation between the changeup and the fastball right now, the hitter is not showing you that it's a lot. And so the changeup maybe acts as a sinker at times, but not to the point where you can get some swing and miss on it or the fastball. He's going to need that at some point. We gotta work to get that back.”

Blister issue resurfaces

Adding to the concern, Cabrera had a bandage on his right middle finger after the start, the same finger that landed him on the injured list earlier this season. He said he felt a “sensation” on the finger from the start of the game and that it worsened as he pitched.

“I tried to push through it but wasn't able to,” Cabrera said through interpreter Fredy Quevedo Jr.

Despite the issues, Cabrera said he plans to make his next start. He noted that trainers applied a substance to harden the skin on his finger. Asked if he expects to stay in the rotation, he said simply, “100 percent.”

Counsell was less definitive, saying the decision would have to be “talked about.”

What does this mean for the Cubs' playoff hopes?

The Cubs are in a tight race for the National League Central. Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Cardinals widened their deficit behind the Milwaukee Brewers to five games. The Cubs still hold a firm grip on the top wild card spot, but the division title remains within reach, making every loss more costly.

There are still seven head-to-head games between the Cubs and Brewers left on the schedule, so Chicago controls its own destiny in that regard. But a series loss to the Cardinals means more ground to cover when they face Milwaukee in September.

The Cubs' front office made aggressive moves at the trade deadline to bolster the pitching staff, giving the team depth to navigate a postseason run even if Cabrera is left off the playoff roster. But the investment in Cabrera extends beyond this season. He is under team control through 2028, making his development a long-term priority.

Javier Assad's demotion adds to the frustration

Cabrera's struggles carry extra weight because the Cubs optioned Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa to make room for him on the active roster. Assad has a 3.59 ERA in 21 appearances this season, with ten starts and two saves in relief. Counsell said Assad will likely return later this season, but the timing is tough for Cubs fans to swallow.

“At this point, the decision we made was just to preserve every pitcher,” Counsell said. “And certainly in [Assad]'s shoes, that doesn't feel fair, but from a depth perspective this was a way to preserve everybody and keep maximum depth.”

Because Assad has minor league options and other pitchers on the 26-man roster do not, he was the one sent down. For now, that means Cabrera stays in the rotation, even as questions mount about his reliability.

What's next for Cabrera and the Cubs?

The first start after a lengthy injury layoff was never going to provide a definitive answer about Cabrera's future. But given his performance when healthy this season, expectations should remain tempered. If the blister continues to be an issue, he might not be available to pitch at all.

The Cubs need Cabrera to be the pitcher they traded for last winter, both for the immediate playoff push and for the long-term investment they've made in him. With the division race heating up and October looming, the margin for error is shrinking fast.

FAQ

Why did the Cubs trade for Edward Cabrera?

The Cubs acquired Cabrera from the Miami Marlins in December 2025, sending top outfield prospect Owen Caissie and two other minor leaguers in exchange. His high strikeout rate and team control through 2028 made him an attractive addition to the rotation.

What is Edward Cabrera's ERA this season?

Cabrera has a 5.04 ERA in his starts for the Cubs this season, a significant dropoff from the performance the team expected when they traded for him.

Will Edward Cabrera make his next start?

Cabrera says he plans to make his next start, but manager Craig Counsell said the decision will be discussed. The blister on Cabrera's right middle finger remains a concern.

How far are the Cubs from the Brewers in the NL Central?

After Sunday's loss, the Cubs trail the Milwaukee Brewers by five games in the National League Central standings. The two teams still have seven head-to-head games remaining.