Craig Counsell's post trade deadline comments cast doubt on Edward Cabrera's role

Edward Cabrera is scheduled for two more minor-league rehab starts before potentially being reinstated from the IL, but it remains to be seen if his return will be to the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation. The Cubs have already confirmed that Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes will be pitching out of the rotation, and while it's assumed Colin Rea and Javier Assad will be pushed out, that leaves another decision yet to be made.

It's possible the Cubs elect for a six-man rotation to close out the season, but if they don't, Edward Cabrera could be the other starting pitcher who is moved to the bullpen. It certainly isn't an outcome what anyone would have expected when the Cubs traded for Cabrera last January, but circumstances may call for it.

Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga appear to be locks to stay in the rotation, and David Peterson has done nothing but cemented his spot, considering the success he has had since the Cubs made the trade with the New York Mets. With Gausman and Holmes being ticketed for the other two spots, that leaves Cabrera in a curious spot.

Counsell was asked about that possibility on Monday, speaking with The Spiegel and Holmes Show of 104.3 The Score, and left the door open to that being the case.

To be fair to Counsell, it's a decision that the Cubs don't need to make right now. Cabrera is still a couple of weeks away from being ready, and it's possible that something happens before then that changes the entire conversation.

Edward Cabrera's days in the Cubs' starting rotation may be over this season.

But, assuming health of all involved, Cabrera feels like the candidate to be pitching out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season and into the postseason. He's struggled this season, posting an ERA of 5.10 through 14 starts.

As for how successful that would be, it's hard to tell. Outside of Cabrera's chase rate being above average this season at 32.6%, there aren't any other indicators in his 2026 metrics that would suggest it would work. Though, last season, the value on his breaking pitch sat in the 94th percentile, and his off-speed value was in the 88th percentile. If that version of Cabrera is who the Cubs have to close out the season, then a run in the bullpen could prove fruitful.

Otherwise, it feels like Cabrera's first year with the Cubs is going to be considered a wash when all is said and done.

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