The Chicago Cubs quietly provided an important update on right-hander Edward Cabrera during their four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, revealing that the injured starter has begun another rehabilitation assignment as the club evaluates whether he can return to the pitching staff during the stretch run. Cabrera was sent to Triple-A Iowa on September 1, marking another significant step in his recovery after his latest stint on the injured list.
The development is particularly important because Cabrera has endured a frustrating season in his first year with Chicago. The 28-year-old has already spent multiple periods on the injured list, most recently because of a blister on his right middle finger. The injury came just one day after he returned from an earlier IL stint, forcing the Cubs to place him back on the injured list on August 17.
Cabrera’s latest rehabilitation assignment is not simply about getting him back onto a Major League mound. Chicago must determine how best to use him once he is healthy. With the Cubs’ rotation having become deeper following the trade deadline and several pitchers competing for postseason roles, there is increasing speculation that Cabrera could eventually be used out of the bullpen rather than immediately reclaiming a spot in the starting rotation. MLB.com’s latest report specifically noted that the Cubs are considering whether a move to the bullpen could make sense.
That possibility would represent a significant change for Cabrera, who has spent most of his professional career as a starter. Before his injury troubles, however, he had already shown flashes of the talent that convinced Chicago to acquire him from the Miami Marlins during the offseason. The Cubs completed the January trade by sending Owen Caissie, Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami in exchange for Cabrera.
The investment has yet to produce the consistency Chicago hoped for. Cabrera currently owns a 5-5 record with a 5.68 ERA across 15 appearances and 76 innings, along with 67 strikeouts and a 1.45 WHIP. Those numbers illustrate why his eventual role remains uncertain, particularly with the Cubs preparing for a crucial postseason push.
His season began with considerable promise before injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress. Cabrera had already spent time on the IL earlier in the year because of a right middle-finger blister and later suffered a left hamstring/adductor injury while covering first base during Chicago’s June 23 victory over the New York Mets. He was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day.
After recovering from the leg injury, Cabrera returned to the Cubs’ rotation in August. His comeback was encouraging enough for Chicago to activate him on August 16, but the return lasted only one start before the finger blister forced another setback. The repeated interruptions have made it difficult for him to establish a rhythm and have complicated the Cubs’ plans for their pitching staff.
Interestingly, Cabrera’s rehabilitation work has produced some encouraging signs. Earlier rehab outings included a five-inning, seven-strikeout performance without allowing a hit, while another outing saw him strike out eight over four innings. He also recorded seven strikeouts in a later rehab appearance. Those performances suggest that the underlying stuff remains capable of missing bats even though his Major League results have been inconsistent.
The latest assignment to Iowa could therefore be viewed as an opportunity for Cabrera to rebuild his workload while allowing the Cubs to monitor the condition of his finger and overall effectiveness. Rather than rushing him back simply because the calendar has reached September, Chicago can use the minor-league environment to determine whether he is ready for the intensity of a pennant race.
That caution is understandable given the circumstances surrounding the Cubs’ pitching staff. Chicago is attempting to navigate the final weeks of the regular season while dealing with significant questions surrounding its rotation and bullpen. Recent struggles against Milwaukee have further highlighted the importance of finding reliable pitching depth.
The Brewers series itself illustrated the contrast between Chicago’s powerful offense and its pitching concerns. After the Cubs exploded offensively in the opening game, Milwaukee responded with a 9-4 victory in the second game of the series. The result again placed attention on whether Chicago’s pitching can hold up against quality opponents when the stakes become higher.
For manager Craig Counsell, Cabrera’s return could provide another important option. If the right-hander can regain his form, Chicago could potentially deploy him as a starter, long reliever or multi-inning weapon. A bullpen role could also allow the Cubs to limit his workload while maximizing his ability to generate strikeouts.
That flexibility may ultimately determine Cabrera’s postseason value. The Cubs do not necessarily need him to return as the same pitcher they envisioned when they acquired him. They need him to become a dependable arm capable of getting important outs, particularly if the club advances into October and requires additional pitching depth.
Cabrera’s return is also significant because the Cubs invested heavily in him as part of their effort to strengthen the rotation. His ability to stay healthy and contribute could influence how Chicago manages its pitching staff over the final month and potentially affect which pitchers receive postseason opportunities.
For now, though, the message from the organization is one of cautious progress. Cabrera is pitching again, but the Cubs still have to determine when he is ready for Major League competition and what role gives them the best chance to win.
After an injury-plagued first season in Chicago, Edward Cabrera’s latest rehab assignment could be his most important yet. If he can stay healthy and rediscover his swing-and-miss stuff, the Cubs may have an unexpected pitching weapon available just when their postseason push demands it most.
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