Chicago Cubs Move Pitcher Edward Cabrera to Bullpen
The Chicago Cubs are shifting pitcher Edward Cabrera to the bullpen, drawing inspiration from the Dodgers' Roki Sasaki, hoping this change can revitalize his performance and bolster the team's relief pitching for their playoff aspirations.
Chicago, IL, September 12, 2026 — The Chicago Cubs have made a significant strategic move, shifting pitcher Edward Cabrera to the bullpen. This decision is reportedly inspired by the approach taken with Roki Sasaki, with the team aiming to revitalize Cabrera’s performance and strengthen their relief pitching corps as they pursue playoff aspirations.
The transition for Cabrera marks a new phase in his career with the Cubs. The organization hopes that a role change to the bullpen will provide a different avenue for success, potentially allowing him to find a more consistent rhythm and contribute effectively to the team’s late-game efforts. The inspiration drawn from Roki Sasaki’s career path suggests a belief within the coaching staff that a bullpen role might better suit Cabrera’s pitching style or current capabilities.
By moving Cabrera to relief, the Cubs are looking to bolster their bullpen depth. This unit is often critical in playoff scenarios, where strong, reliable arms are needed for shorter, high-leverage innings. The team’s aspirations for the postseason necessitate a robust pitching staff across both starting and relief roles, and this move is designed to address potential needs in the latter category.
The exact timeline for Cabrera’s integration into the bullpen and how his role will evolve were not detailed. However, the stated objective is clear: to harness his talent in a new capacity that benefits the team’s immediate and future competitive goals. The success of this shift will be closely watched as the Cubs navigate the remainder of their season and their push toward the playoffs.
Story summarized from the original created by Brian Sandalow on chicago.suntimes.com, see more information here.
