Latest news and updates about the Cubs
White Sox pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp yesterday, beginning their Spring Training preparations for the 2026 season at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. There, they’ll ease into throwing routines and conditioning ahead of full-squad workouts later this month with their first Cactus League game scheduled on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs. For […]
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. So long, Bill*, hello, Bobby, and other stories. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Jimmy […]
Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop in tonight. Let us hold the door for you. There’s no cover charge. Let us take your coat for you. There are still a few tables available. Bring […]
The San Diego Padres season ended on a sour note in 2025. Losing two out of three to the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card series, the team then lost its manager when he retired 11 days after the season ended. Citing mental, physical and emotional exhaustion, manager Mike Shildt left the team and subsequently […]
The Cubs are adding some starting pitching depth: Kyle Wright was the Braves’ first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2017 out of Vanderbilt and was a Top 100 prospect three years in a row (2018, 2019, 2020). He made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2019 and joined their rotation full-time in 2022, when he […]
The Rays have announced the promotional schedule for the 2026 season. Each item will be made available to the first 10,000 fans in attendance. As is tradition: The first is a schedule magnet presented by Orlando Health at the Rays Home Opener at Tropicana Field (April 6) against the Chicago Cubs. Bobblehead giveaways will include […]
The Mets have reportedly added another reliever into the mix, acquiring left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson from the White Sox for cash considerations. Chicago had designated Hudson for assignment back on February 4. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred Reed Garett to the 60-day IL. Hudson was drafted by the Cubs in […]
Today we look at the Cubs’ young starter, who had a remarkable rookie season. Cade Horton went 11-4, 2.67 in his first season, throwing 118 innings with 90 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP. None of that is out of line with his minor-league production, and so the immediate conclusion is that this is who he […]
As we await the Cubs pitcher and catcher report day this Wednesday, I thought I’d lighten things up by once again presenting anagrams for every player on the Cubs’ 40-man roster. I’ve given away the identity of the Cub in the headline with the photo. See if you can figure out the others. I’ve put […]
I am not at all unhappy to see Caleb Durbin heading to Boston. The guy is a pain in the ass at the plate. Plus it means that Matt Shaw/Nico Hoerner are even more likely to stay put. The Super Bowl is over. It’s time for baseball. “We’re taking the afternoon off” *means autoplay on, (directions […]
It’s Monday night here at BCB After Dark: the hippest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad that you stopped by. Come on in. There’s no cover charge. We can check your coat for you. Hang on to that ticket. The hostess will take you to your […]
The starters are presented in alphabetical order, and, as always, are written in a No. 2 pencil. Today we’re looking at Matthew Boyd, who had the best year of his career in 2025, throwing 179.2 innings and going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.091 WHIP, though he did in fact look gassed during the […]
As we battle and persist through consistent connectivity issues (mostly on my end) the three of us are still committed to bringing you content that you can enjoy and interact with to help you continue to be some of the most knowledgable fans in the game. This week a majority of the episode is just […]
As I do here every spring, today I present to you a full numerical roster of all the players and coaches in Cubs spring camp. Also included are the Cubs’ retired numbers, so you can see the full numerical progression. There are 58 players in camp, the 40-man roster plus 18 non-roster invitees. A few […]
Many Cubs players are already in Mesa, Arizona working out, but the official pitcher and catcher report day is Wednesday, Feb. 11, and the first full-squad workout will be Monday, Feb. 16. Today, the Cubs announced the names of 18 non-roster players who will join the 40-man roster in participating in spring camp at the […]
The next guy up is….a catcher? Really? Alirio Ferrebus – 52Jean Cabrera – 31Griffin Burkholder – 13Yoniel Curet – 11Keaton Anthony – 11Carson DeMartini – 11Alex McFarlane – 3Mavis Graves – 2Seth Johnson – 1Romeli Espinosa – 1Zach McCambley – 1 I have to admit, this one caught me off guard a bit. The voting […]
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. The Manfred Man arrives, and other stories. Happy birthday to Todd Pratt* and other former […]
Usually, I run just one sleuthing photo a day on the weekends during the offseason but I came across this one recently and it was too good to pass up. So let’s do a bit of baseball sleuthing as we wait for today’s Super Bowl to begin. Here we have brothers Joe and Phil Niekro […]
Here are two Cubs from the last decade who you likely remember well, Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin. This is another photo courtesy BCB reader Clark Addison. They are standing together at Wrigley Field, apparently just waiting. There’s no one else on the field, the umpires appear to be having some sort of meeting, and […]
Last December, we took a look back at Jared Young’s 2025. It was an uneven affair, particularly at the major league level, but much of what made him an exciting minor league signing remained true. His Triple-A damage numbers were excellent, his approach solid, and his contact metrics viable enough to make him look like […]
The time for hibernation is ending and soon it will be serious business in Arizona. Some players, notably Nico Hoerner, are already in camp. The fires have been banked, but we are told the flames are ready to be fanned and that we’ll see that post-season-ready buzz in short order. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove […]
Terrance Gore was known as one of the fastest men in baseball. He played in 14 games for the Cubs in 2018, mostly as a pinch-runner, and also appeared in the Wild Card Game that year against the Rockies. He was still in MLB as recently as 2022, with the Mets. Today, I have sad […]
Looking back at the 2015 season, you can’t help but think of what was probably the greatest Cy Young battle in the modern era, as Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Jake Arrieta delivered a memorable three-way race, with the award going to the Cubs’ ace. Greinke and Kershaw were the heart and soul of that […]
BCB reader Clark Addison sent me some more photos to sleuth, and said none were easy. Well! I love a sleuthing challenge. Today, we have a photo of actor Joe Mantegna, a big Cubs fan and creator of the play “Bleacher Bums.” He’s with Cubs manager Joe Maddon, which already dates it between 2015 and […]
Vince Velasquez is the latest MiLB signing for our Cubs, it has been reported. This is in addition to Owen Miller, who has officially adorned the dotted line. The Cubs are filling up around the edges. I used to love Javy Báez. I still do, but I used to, too. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has filled Boston’s […]