4 Cubs who are playing their way off 2026 postseason roster

With Edward Cabrera nearing a return to the Chicago Cubs pitching staff, it's a reminder of the decisions that are ahead for Craig Counsell and the front office. The focus is no longer on adding reinforcements, that was accomplished at the trade deadline. Now, the focus is on preparing the roster for October.

Of course, some of those decisions will be based on health. For example, if Ben Brown and Justin Steele return in September and are effective, that certainly is going to change the outlook of the pitching staff for October.

4 Cubs who are playing their way off 2026 postseason roster

Other decisions will be tied to performance. Especially in the bullpen, there are several pitchers who have pitched themselves out of the plans for October. As for the position players, it's hard to nitpick for the group, considering the overall success they have had for most of the season. That said, there might be a spot or two up for grabs on the bench.

Caleb Thielbar

Caleb Thielbar entered Thursday with an ERA of 5.30 through 42 appearance this season. In a tick under 36 innings pitched this season, he's given up 10 home runs. That's not exactly the type of splits a team wants to see from a high-leverage relief pitcher in October. The guess here is that Thielbar doesn't even reach October with the Cubs. Once Hoby Milner returns, Thielbar's days with the Cubs should be numbered.

Trent Thornton

Approaching the trade deadline, it was looking like the success story that was Trent Thornton was coming to an end. He had a 4.15 ERA in July, and his overall ERA/FIP split on the season made him a clear regression candidate for the final two months of the season. Since the calendar flipped to August, he's done nothing but stack scoreless outings. His ERA is untouched over his last five appearances prior to Thursday's game against the Nationals. Thornton's spot on the postseason roster could truly be dependent on the recovery of pitchers like Steele, Brown, Shelby Miller, Hunter Harvey, and Daniel Palencia.

Michael Conforto

Michael Conforto was in the Cubs' lineup on Thursday, but he's in the middle of a skid. Since July 22, Conforto had six hits in his last 40 plate appearances before yesterday's game. He was also striking out over 30% of the time, and his slugging percentage during that stretch was .250. If Conforto doesn't turn things around soon, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Cubs give his spot on the postseason roster to Justin Dean.

James Triantos

James Triantos is kind of just here for the ride while the Cubs wait for Matt Shaw to get healthy. Assuming Shaw's healthy before October, it's inevitable that the two will swap places.

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