A staggering 12 Cubs pitchers are currently on the injured list. A closer look at when each of these 12 pitches could return to the big league roster.
The Chicago Cubs just can’t stay healthy.
It feels like the Cubs are sending a different pitcher to the injured list every day. They have sent four different pitchers to the IL since Wednesday and now have a whopping 12 pitchers currently sidelined with injuries.
While the position players have stayed healthy, the pitching staff has not. The Cubs currently have eight pitchers on their active roster who did not make the Opening Day roster. More than half of their pitchers have come from either the minors, via trade, or by claiming them off waivers.
Let’s take a closer look at every Cubs pitcher on the IL right now, and when they might be back.
Edward Cabrera
Edward Cabrera landed on the injured list on Wednesday due to a hamstring/adductor strain. He was diagnosed with a moderate strain after making a play at first base in his last start. Although there is currently no timeline for his return, all signs point to him being out through the All-Star break.
Jameson Taillon
Jameson Taillon left his start early on June 8 after injuring his hamstring. He is making steady progress in his recovery and could return within the next few weeks. Taillon recently threw a bullpen session on Friday (according to MLB.com)
Ben Brown
The Cubs placed Ben Brown on the injured list on Wednesday due to a neck strain. This is the same neck injury that kept Brown out for multiple months during the 2024 season. There is no timeline for his return, and he will not participate in baseball activities over the next month.
Cade Horton
Cade Horton is currently on the 60-day injured list and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April.
Justin Steele
Justin Steele was originally supposed to be back in late May/early June, but a setback in late April puts his 2026 season in jeopardy. He won’t start any games this season and would only be a bullpen option later in the year if all goes well.
Daniel Palencia
Daniel Palencia is dealing with a mild flexor strain in his elbow. He has been shut down from throwing since he landed on the injured list back on June 16. Palencia is expected to be out through the All-Star break.
Phil Maton
The Cubs recently placed Phil Maton on the 15-day IL due to right knee tendonitis. This is the second time Maton has landed on the IL with this knee issue. He has a 6.08 ERA across 26 ⅔ innings pitched this season and likely won't be back until the second half.
Hunter Harvey
Hunter Harvey has been on the shelf since mid-April with right triceps inflammation. He then had a setback in early May that has kept him shut down from throwing. It’s unclear when/if Harvey will return this season.
Hoby Milner
Hoby Milner is the recent Cubs pitcher to land on the injured list. Milner had emergency surgery to remove his appendix on Saturday and will now be out for the foreseeable future. The estimated timeline for his return is four to six weeks.
Porter Hodge
Poter Hodge underwent season-ending elbow surgery in late April and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Riley Martin
Riley Martin was diagnosed with a left flexor strain in late April. Martin was given an eight-week timeline when his injury occurred, but he doesn’t appear close to a return. He was emerging as a reliable bullpen arm for the North Siders before his injury, with a 2.16 ERA across 8 ⅓ innings pitched.
Shelby Miller
Shelby Miller started the season on the injured list and isn’t expected to pitch in 2026. Miller underwent right elbow surgery in October.
