Brown threw 6 IP / 7 K / 1 ER vs. the Pirates on Sunday and his 2.09 season ERA is fully validated. With Edward Cabrera on the IL (finger blister), Brown's rotation spot is locked. The curveball whiff rate (44%) is elite. Top-35 SP rest of season.

Cubs' #5 prospect just got the call with Nicky Lopez DFA'd. He was hitting .278/.345/.489 with 8 HRs in 42 Triple-A games. The 6'6" frame and power-speed combo project to 20+ HR / 15+ SB at his MLB peak. Speculative add in 12-team formats; priority in 14+.

Started @ Pittsburgh Pirates (1W-2L, 2.09 ERA)

With Edward Cabrera on the IL and the Cubs' bullpen reshuffling, Daniel Palencia just grabbed a save opportunity behind his 99.1 mph average fastball. Pitcher List flags him as the Cubs' new closer-of-opportunity. The Cubs win enough close games that the volume potential is real, and at 5% rostered he's the cheapest path to a potential 8-10 saves over the next month. Top-30 RP rest of season ceiling if the role holds. Stash in 12+ team formats; aggressive add in 14+.

NEW: 15-day IL retroactive to May 21 with a right middle-finger blister. Blisters in pitchers typically resolve in 2-3 weeks but tend to limit pitch effectiveness for additional weeks after activation. Jordan Wicks recalled to fill the rotation spot.

Pitcher List's priority hitter add. Shaw returned from his back IL stint and is hitting .313 over 4 games with 2 SBs and extra-base hits. The minor-league rehab line (150 wRC+, 6 HR, 5 SB in 24 games) was loud. Multi-position eligibility makes him a roster-flex add anywhere; top-25 3B rest of season ceiling.

Started vs Milwaukee Brewers (3W-1L, 4.06 ERA)

Started vs Milwaukee Brewers (1W-1L, 1.60 ERA)

Pitcher List's top SP add. Brown is back in the Cubs' rotation with velocity gains and elite curveball metrics (.136 BAA). He's been a top-25 SP since making the conversion from bullpen back to starter. Rostered in less than a third of leagues. Top-35 SP rest of season.

Started @ Chicago White Sox (3W-1L, 3.88 ERA)

Started @ Atlanta Braves (1W-1L, 1.82 ERA)

OBP .295 → .350 (Δ +0.055)

OBP .295 → .352 (Δ +0.057)

OBP .299 → .349 (Δ +0.050)

OBP .287 → .349 (Δ +0.062)

Started @ Texas Rangers (3W-0L, 3.27 ERA)

OBP .283 → .345 (Δ +0.062)

Started @ Texas Rangers (1W-1L, 2.10 ERA)

NEW: 15-day IL retroactive to May 4 with a left meniscus tear sustained playing with his kids at home. Surgery in the coming days; Counsell says 'more than the minimum' on the IL. Was 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA. Ben Brown likely steps up as rotation cover, with Justin Steele still also IL'd.

Started vs Cincinnati Reds (3W-0L, 3.06 ERA)

Started vs Arizona Diamondbacks (1W-1L, 7.00 ERA)

NEW: Out beyond the All-Star break with a left elbow flexor strain discovered on April 28 imaging. Stopped throwing after reporting bullpen discomfort; will be re-evaluated in roughly a month, with additional rehab required even if the strain heals. Comes on top of 2025 elbow surgery recovery.

Started @ San Diego Padres (2W-0L, 2.73 ERA)

OBP 0.245 → .338 (Δ +0.093)

Started @ San Diego Padres (1W-1L, 5.79 ERA)