Ben Brown, Edward Cabrera to IL as Cubs Make Several Roster Moves
There were a lot of bad takes last night about how losing Edward Cabrera wasn’t really a big deal, and those look even worse now that Ben Brown is also headed to the IL. Thursday’s presumed starter has a neck strain, and Cabrera is dealing with a hamstring strain. No word yet on a timeframe for either to return.
Brown got another crack at the rotation due to all the attrition, and he emerged as the staff ace in the process. Even getting Matthew Boyd back on Thursday won’t fill that void, especially with Cabrera also missing significant time. This is wild.
See the media release below for more on those moves and who will be replacing them on the active roster.
The Chicago Cubs today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez and recalled right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell. In corresponding moves, right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, right-handed pitcher Ben Brown has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain (retroactive to Juine 21) and right-handed pitcher Eduarniel Nunez was designated for assignment. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Tyler Ferguson was appointed as the 27th man for today’s doubleheader against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Velasquez, 34, is 1-1 with a 6.15 ERA (23 ER/33.2 IP), 40 strikeouts, 25 walks and a 1.57 WHIP in 10 games (six starts) with the Iowa Cubs this season. His 40 punchouts are second-most among I-Cubs pitchers. The right-hander has made one relief appearance with the Cubs and threw 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit with one strikeout (April 25 at Los Angeles-NL).
Hollowell, 28, has pitched to a 4.91 ERA (2 ER/3.2 IP) in three relief appearances with the Cubs in 2026. This is his second stint with Chicago after being recalled on June 16 and optioned yesterday. He is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA (7 ER/17.1 IP), 27 strikeouts, 14 walks and a 1.27 WHIP in 15 outings out of the bullpen with the Iowa Cubs this season.
Cabrera, 28, has posted a 5-4 record with a 5.10 ERA (41 ER/72.1 IP), 65 strikeouts and 29 walks in 14 starts with the Cubs this year. This is his second stint on the injured list in 2026 (also May 21-June 5 with a right middle finger blister).
Brown, 26, is 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA (14 ER/68.0 IP), 65 strikeouts, 19 walks and a 0.94 WHIP in 20 outings (eight starts) this season with the Cubs.
Nunez, 27, was claimed off waivers by Chicago from Baltimore on June 8 and reported to the Arizona Complex.
Ferguson, 32, has made one relief appearance with the Cubs this season, June 11 at Colorado, tossing 1.1 innings and allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
The Cubs play a doubleheader today against the New York Mets at 12:10 p.m. CT and 6:10 p.m. CT at Citi Field. The games can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 104.3 the Score.
