Chicago Cubs: Patience for Cabrera runs thin, Counsell speaks on pitcher’s future

The Chicago Cubs gave up a lot to get hard-throwing right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.

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Packaged in the offseason trade were Chicago’s no. 1 prospect OF Owen Caissie, no. 11 prospect INF Cristian Hernandez, and 19-year-old talent INF Edgardo De Leon.

But, in return, the team was getting the 28-year-old Cabrera, who had front-of-rotation potential and seemed to be turning the corner in his development in 2025 where he topped 137 innings pitched and showed signs of true next-level dominance.

The Cubs were willing to part with three quality prospects for three team-controlled years from a young power pitcher who looked to be maybe one or two small tweaks away from ace material.

Well, 2026 hasn’t gone as planned with the native of the Dominican Republic and Sunday’s horrendous rubber match performance against the St. Louis Cardinals appears to be the straw that broke the camel’s back when it comes to everyone’s patience on Cabrera.

Cabrera comes apart

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On the day, Cabrera allowed 7 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 3.2 innings to bring his season ERA to 5.68 through 15 starts.

But, well, there were excuses.

This was his first big league start since June 23 when he went on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Although he looked dominant in the last start of his minor league rehab assignment, he was bound to have some rust.

Okay.

Then, there was the blister.

Per Cubs beat writer Bruce Levine:

“Cubs Edward Cabrera said a blister was coming on during his outing ,but he didn’t tell Craig Counsell or any of the coaches until he was removed from the game in the 4th inning. He was wearing a band- aid on his finger in the post game media conversation.”

“The blister,” Cabrera told reporters via interpreter after the game, sporting a bandage on his right middle finger. “That’s what affected me in the last inning. I tried to battle through it, but I couldn’t finish the inning.”

Frustration boiling over

From the reactions online, people were torn between ripping him for hiding a blister issue from manager Craig Counsell and not buying into the blister story at all.

Per Aldo Soto of Sports Mockery:

“There have been whispers in Chicago media about how easy Cabrera will look to make excuses, and well, he had another when speaking to reporters on Sunday. The right-hander allowed seven runs on six hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning. He walked three batters, only struck out two, and when asked what didn’t go well against the Cardinals, Cabrera said he was dealing with a blister.”

Per Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib:

“It’s become clear that Cabrera can’t be the starter in a game of consequence for the Cubs.”

Overall, there’s just rampant disappointment and calls for the Cubs to reconsider their starting rotation plans for the rest of the season.

Even Counsell seems to be leaning away from Cabrera as the team pushes towards a postseason run. After Sunday’s game, he refused to commit on whether Cabrera would remain in the rotation.

“We’re going to have to talk about that,” Counsell said.

The last time Counsell talked like that, it was about Jameson Taillon, days before the team decided to DFA him.

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