Chicago Cubs Place Dansby Swanson and Edward Cabrera on Injured List Ahead of White Sox Series
According to reports from ClutchPoints and MLB Trade Rumors, shortstop Dansby Swanson and right-hander Edward Cabrera have both landed on the injured list, dealing a sudden blow to the team’s depth during a critical stretch of the Major League Baseball season.
Navigating the Loss of an Infield Anchor
Swanson’s absence stands as the most acute challenge for manager Craig Counsell. The veteran shortstop has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. Oblique injuries notoriously require careful management, and according to Marquee Sports Network reporter Taylor McGregor, Counsell noted that Swanson is expected to miss approximately four weeks. This timeline places his potential return squarely in mid-September.
The defensive stability Swanson provides up the middle is difficult to replicate. To bridge the gap, the Cubs are shifting Nico Hoerner over to shortstop for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Pedro Ramírez is slated to pick up extended playing time at second base. The infield math could shift further if Matt Shaw manages to return from his own lengthy absence; Shaw has been sidelined since late June with a left-hand sprain and could commence a minor league rehab assignment soon, according to MLB.com reporter Jordan Bastian.
Shuffling the Rotation and Integrating New Faces
Edward Cabrera’s trip to the 15-day injured list—retroactive due to a right middle finger blister—compounds the pressure on Chicago’s pitching staff. Cabrera had just returned from a separate stint on the shelf for a hamstring strain, but a troublesome blister cut his Sunday start short before he could complete four innings. Blisters have intermittently derailed Cabrera’s career, tracking back through previous stints with the Miami Marlins in 2021 and 2025.
To help stabilize the pitching staff in the wake of Cabrera’s departure, the Cubs recalled right-hander Javier Assad. According to ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers, Counsell indicated that the organization intends to deploy Cabrera in shorter, relief-style bursts once he returns in September, a strategic adjustment designed to manage his recurring blister vulnerability.
Roster Depth Tested as Prospects Get the Call
To accommodate the shifting parts, the Cubs executed a series of corresponding minor league moves. Outfielder Kevin Alcántara was recalled to provide an energetic spark and fresh outfield depth at the major-league level. Additionally, the club selected the contract of infielder Owen Miller from Triple-A Iowa, while infielder James Triantos was optioned back down.
Miller arrives with a solid .296/.350/.457 slash line in Triple-A this season, yielding a 102 wRC+. While his major league career numbers are more modest at .238/.287/.342, his defensive versatility makes him an ideal bench piece capable of playing nearly every position on the diamond. To clear a spot for Miller on the 40-man roster, the Cubs transferred reliever Daniel Palencia to the 60-day injured list. Palencia has been out since mid-June due to right elbow inflammation, but having already served his 60 days on the shelf while on a minor league rehab assignment, he remains eligible for reinstatement.
With the crosstown rivalry set to take center stage, how do you expect the Cubs’ bench depth and young call-ups to perform under the bright lights at Wrigley Field? Share your thoughts below.
