Chicago — The Chicago Cubs have made another important roster adjustment as they navigate the stretch run of the 2026 season, adding infielder Gabriel Arias to their active roster after claiming him off waivers from the New York Mets.
The move gives Chicago additional infield depth at a time when roster flexibility has become particularly important. Arias, 26, brings major-league experience and the ability to handle multiple positions around the infield, giving manager Craig Counsell another option to deploy depending on matchups, injuries and defensive needs.
Arias was claimed by the Cubs after the Mets designated him for assignment. New York had only recently acquired him after he was designated by the Cleveland Guardians, making his time with the Mets extremely brief. The Cubs moved quickly to secure his services and add him to their 26-man roster.
The addition is especially significant because Chicago has recently dealt with injuries and uncertainty in the infield. Shortstop Dansby Swanson is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain, leaving the Cubs in need of additional defensive and positional depth.
Nico Hoerner has been expected to take on increased responsibilities at shortstop, while Pedro Ramirez has also been positioned for a larger role. Arias now gives Counsell another experienced option who can provide insurance across the infield.
Arias’ versatility is one of the main reasons the Cubs were willing to take a chance on him. Rather than being viewed strictly as an everyday starter, he can provide value as a utility option, defensive replacement or occasional starter.
The Cubs also had to make room for Arias on the active roster. Infielder Owen Miller was designated for assignment as part of the corresponding move. Miller had provided Chicago with valuable depth, but the organization ultimately chose to make room for the newly acquired Arias.
The Cubs’ roster maneuvering did not stop there. Chicago also reinstated right-handed reliever Daniel Palencia from the injured list. Palencia had been working his way back after dealing with an oblique strain and a flexor issue and had completed rehabilitation work before returning to the major-league club.
Palencia’s return gives the Cubs another potentially important arm for the bullpen. He appeared in 19 games earlier this season, posting a 2.70 ERA across 16 2/3 innings while striking out 19 batters and recording three saves.
However, manager Craig Counsell indicated that Palencia will not necessarily immediately return to the traditional closer role. Instead, the Cubs can use him as a flexible “out-getter,” allowing the coaching staff to deploy him in different situations depending on the game.
To create room for Palencia, the Cubs optioned right-hander Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa. Assad has been moving between the major leagues and the minors as Chicago manages its pitching depth, and the Cubs are expected to continue evaluating where he fits as the season progresses.
Arias gives Cubs another layer of depth
For Arias, joining Chicago represents another opportunity to establish himself at the major-league level.
He has experience playing shortstop and other infield positions, and his athleticism gives the Cubs some flexibility when managing their lineup. With Swanson unavailable, having another player capable of filling different defensive assignments could become particularly valuable.
The timing of the move is also notable because the Cubs are in the middle of an important postseason push. Chicago cannot afford to lose significant depth because of injuries, particularly with the regular season entering its final weeks.
The Cubs have already had to make several adjustments to compensate for injuries throughout the roster. Swanson’s absence has created one of the biggest challenges, and adding Arias gives the team another player who can potentially help absorb some of that burden.
The organization is also balancing immediate postseason ambitions with longer-term roster considerations. Adding a player like Arias allows Chicago to strengthen its present roster without necessarily making a major commitment.
Cubs continue reshaping roster for playoff push
Chicago’s recent moves reflect how quickly roster priorities can change during the final stages of a season.
The Cubs entered the stretch run with legitimate postseason aspirations, making depth increasingly important. Players who might have been considered organizational insurance earlier in the year can suddenly become meaningful contributors when injuries strike.
Arias could therefore have an opportunity to make an immediate impression.
His role may initially be limited, particularly with other infielders still capable of handling regular playing time. But his ability to move around the diamond gives Counsell another piece to use when giving starters a rest, creating favorable defensive matchups or responding to unexpected injuries.
The Cubs will also hope Palencia’s return strengthens a bullpen that could become increasingly important during the postseason race. Having another high-strikeout arm available gives Counsell more flexibility when protecting leads or navigating difficult portions of games.
Ultimately, Chicago’s latest roster moves are about creating options.
With Swanson sidelined, Arias provides additional infield insurance. With Palencia returning, the bullpen gains another power arm. And by moving Miller and Assad, the Cubs have adjusted their roster structure to accommodate those changes.
For a team with postseason ambitions, those seemingly small moves could become significant before the season is over.
Arias now has the opportunity to show that his versatility can translate into meaningful contributions for Chicago, while the Cubs hope his arrival helps stabilize an infield that has suddenly become much more complicated.
As the playoff race intensifies, the Cubs will need contributions from more than just their biggest stars. Players such as Arias could ultimately determine how well Chicago handles the challenges of the final weeks and whether the club enters October at full strength.
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