Another pitching injury turns the spotlight back on Jed Hoyer

After multiple rainouts, the Chicago Cubs finally returned to action on Tuesday night and beat the New York Mets 9-6. The offense came to life as Pete Crow-Armstrong had a three-run home run in the second inning, his tenth home run this month, and Dansby Swanson, who has been a target of frustrated Cubs fans, went 2-for-3 with four RBIs.

However, the story of the night wasn’t the win. It was the injury to another pitcher.

Another night, another pitcher goes down for Chicago Cubs

Jun 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (30) in the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Midway through the game, starter Edward Cabrera left with an injury. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Mets batter Jared Young hit a grounder toward second base. Second baseman Nico Hoerner made a sliding stop and threw to Cabrera, who rushed over to cover first base.

Cabrera caught the ball for the final out, but did a full split while stretching for the bag. He immediately went down in severe pain, clutching his upper left thigh, and had to be taken off on a motorized cart.

He also struggled badly in the second inning, when Young lined a sharp comebacker that hit Cabrera directly in the groin area. Following that play, Cabrera’s command completely wavered with two outs. He threw 43 pitches, walking three batters and giving up a pair of singles, cutting the Cubs’ lead from 5-0 to 5-2.

His injury is yet another blow to a pitching staff that has already been stretched beyond its limits. The Cubs’ pitching depth has evaporated at an alarming rate. As the Cubs continue to lose another arm, the pressure on the front office grows heavier.

The pressure keeps mounting on Hoyer. But should Cubs fans trust him?

Jed Hoyer, Chicago Cubs — Sep 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer is seen prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

With the trade deadline approaching, Jed Hoyer faces mounting pressure to do something. Not only must he stabilize the rotation. But the bullpen needs a major reinforcement as well. Reliever Phil Maton, his prized bullpen addition, continues to struggle, as he served up a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Jayden Murray gave up 3 runs, cutting the lead from 9-3 to 9-6.

The Cubs’ pitching crisis didn’t appear out of thin air. It’s the result of years of questionable decisions, thin depth, and a development pipeline that hasn’t produced enough major‑league‑ready arms.

Now, Hoyer is being asked to repair the very structure he helped weaken. And even if he does make a move, should anyone believe he’ll do everything to get it right?

Remember when the Cubs were interested in acquiring MacKenzie Gore, a pitcher with the Washington Nationals during last year’s trade deadline? The Cubs were aggressive in their pursuit. But ultimately, Hoyer balked at Washington’s astronomical asking price.

Now, the pitcher Hoyer acquired instead of Gore has been inconsistent and could be out for a while.

Almost a year later, the Cubs will probably have to part with top prospects like Jefferson Rojas, young hitters like Matt Shaw, and even Moises Ballesteros if they want a legitimate starting pitcher.

With each injury to their pitchers, it is time for Hoyer to step out of his comfort zone and do something immediately. Otherwise, the fans’ trust in him will dwindle fast.

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