The Chicago Cubs are shifting their approach with right-hander Edward Cabrera, viewing him as better suited for shorter relief appearances because of recurring blister problems that worsen the longer he pitches.
ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers reported that the team believes Cabrera’s blister issue “keeps popping up the longer he pitches in a game” and that he “will work as a reliever when he returns.”
The Cubs placed Cabrera on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right middle finger blister, one day after he struggled in his return from a lengthy absence. In Sunday’s 11-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, Cabrera lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two.
Cabrera had been activated for that start after nearly two months on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. The blister flared during the outing, adding to a pattern that has limited him throughout the season.
Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the ongoing problem after the latest setback.
“It hasn’t clicked,” Counsell said. “You spend a lot of time figuring those out. I wish every story was a success story. This one, right now, is not.”
Counsell noted the blister itself is not considered serious, but the timeline for Cabrera’s return remains unclear. The club is exploring whether limiting his pitch volume can help.
“One of the things we’re thinking is it doesn’t necessarily pop up in bullpens when the volume is lower, so maybe we can make some progress there, and that can be a fix at least for the last six weeks here,” Counsell said.
Cabrera, 28, has made 15 starts for the Cubs this season, going 5-5 with a 5.68 ERA over 76 innings. He has allowed 78 hits, walked 32 and struck out 67 while surrendering 15 home runs.
The Dominican right-hander arrived in Chicago via a January trade with the Miami Marlins that sent outfielder Owen Caissie and two minor league infielders to Miami. Cabrera posted a 3.53 ERA in 26 starts for the Marlins in 2025, logging a career-high 137 2/3 innings.
Blisters have been a recurring issue for Cabrera dating back to his time with the Marlins. He previously landed on the injured list in May with a similar problem on the same finger, missing time before returning briefly and then dealing with the hamstring injury.
Cabrera said he is open to the bullpen role.
“A hundred percent I would go to the bullpen,” he said through an interpreter. “The important thing is to be here, and to be able to help the team.”
The Cubs enter the week at 73-53, sitting 4 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. Chicago has relied on a rotation that has dealt with multiple injuries this season, making any consistent contribution from Cabrera valuable even in a reduced role.
Shorter stints could allow Cabrera’s high-velocity arsenal and changeup to play more effectively without the sustained stress that appears to aggravate the blister. He has appeared in relief only twice in his major league career, both times in 2023.
The move reflects the organization’s effort to salvage value from a high-profile acquisition that has not yet delivered the expected results. Cabrera remains under team control through 2028, giving the Cubs time to determine whether a permanent shift to the bullpen or a continued starter’s role makes the most sense long term.
For now, the focus remains on healing the finger and integrating him into the relief corps once he is cleared to pitch again. The Cubs hope the adjusted workload will keep him available down the stretch as they chase a playoff berth.
