Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are fighting for a playoff spot in the National League, but they will reportedly be without one of their best pitchers for the foreseeable future.

According to Andy Martínez of Watch Marquee, Marcus Stroman suffered a right rib cartilage fracture and does not have a timeline to return. He has not pitched since July 31 and was on the injured list with a hip injury.

Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times noted the right-hander was initially scheduled to come off the IL and start Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox, but the rib issue changed those plans.

Instead, Javier Assad will take the mound.

This is quite the blow for the Cubs, who are 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central and one game behind the Miami Marlins in the race for the final NL wild-card spot. They can patch together starts with the likes of Assad, Drew Smyly and even Hayden Wesneski, but Stroman leaves quite the hole in the rotation.

He made the second All-Star Game of his career this season and has a 3.85 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 128.2 innings.

Stroman was more effective earlier in the season with a 2.47 ERA through June and looked the part of a Cy Young contender. However, he posted a 9.11 ERA in six July starts before heading to the IL.

Perhaps his hip played a role in the poor performances before the IL stint, but this is an entirely different setback than the one that initially sidelined him.

Chicago is running out of time to make a move in the NL standings and might have to do so without one of their pitching leaders for a significant amount of time.

The Chicago Cubs decided not to trade Marcus Stroman ahead of Tuesday's deadline, but they will be without one of the leaders in their rotation for the immediate future.

The Cubs announced Wednesday that they placed the right-hander on the 15-day injured list because of right hip inflammation. The stint is retroactive to Aug. 1, and the team also added pitcher José Cuas to the 26-man roster in a corresponding move.

Chicago signed Stroman to a three-year deal ahead of the 2022 campaign, and he has been largely effective for the National League Central team.

He was an All-Star this season and has a 3.85 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 128.2 innings. He posted a 3.50 ERA last year and has been part of a one-two punch atop the rotation with Justin Steele as the Cubs look to remain competitive heading into the stretch run of the season.

While Stroman has been largely solid this year, he has struggled of late.

He allowed six earned runs in three innings during Monday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds after allowing seven earned runs in 3.1 innings during his previous start against the Chicago White Sox.

In fact, he allowed four or more earned runs in five of his six starts in July.

Perhaps the hip injury was bothering him during the month because his performances stood in stark contrast to June when he gave up two or fewer runs in four of his five starts.

The Cubs are in third place in the National League Central and four games behind the first-place Reds. They are also three games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

They will likely need Stroman back on the field and in the form he previously demonstrated if they are going to make a late charge ahead of the playoffs.

The Chicago Cubs announced that they have designated Trey Mancini for assignment. The move makes room for Jeimer Candelario, who the Cubs added via trade from the Washington Nationals on Monday.

Mancini, who signed a fully guaranteed two-year, $14 million contract with the Cubs last offseason, hit .234 (.635 OPS) with four home runs and 28 RBI in 79 games this year.

Mancini has played seven MLB seasons. He began his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 2016, playing just five games.

Mancini became a full-time starter in 2017 and finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .293 with 24 home runs and 78 RBI.

Two years later, Mancini enjoyed his best-ever season with 35 home runs, 97 RBI, a .291 batting average and .899 OPS.

Mancini was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and missed the pandemic-shortened season, but he returned in 2021 and won American League Comeback Player of the Year after posting 21 home runs, 71 RBI and a .758 OPS.

The O's traded Mancini to the Houston Astros in the middle of the 2022 season, and he became a free agent after the year.

Mancini's Cubs stint was not as prosperous as hoped, but hopefully he can bounce back with another team and reclaim the form he enjoyed in previous years.

The Chicago Cubs have not given up on their pursuit of a National League wild-card spot, and they reportedly acquired a player who should help aid those efforts.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs landed third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The Nationals will receive minor league prospects DJ Herz and Kevin Made, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Candelario is back in Chicago after beginning his major league career with the Cubs in 2016. The team traded him to the Detroit Tigers the following year at the trade deadline, and he spent the next five full seasons of his career with the franchise before signing with the Nationals last November.

The 29-year-old has been solid for Washington in 99 appearances this season, slashing .258/.342/.481 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI. In the month of July, he registered a slugging percentage of .533 with six homers and 15 RBI.

R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports ranked Candelario as the fifth-best player available prior to Tuesday's MLB trade deadline, stating:

"Candelario is on the cusp of recording his third well-above-average offensive season in four tries, as well as setting a new career-high home-run total. That's an effective use of the one-year, make-good contract he signed with the Nationals over the offseason. Candelario's defense has also graded better than usual this season, making him a quality two-way contributor. The third-base market is otherwise barren, so expect him to be a popular target."

In the end, the Cubs won the sweepstakes for the eight-year veteran. At 53-52, Chicago sits 3.5 games out of an NL wild-card spot.

On Monday, the Cubs will open a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, who lead the NL Central with a 58-49 record.

Cody Bellinger is remaining on the North Side of Chicago for the remainder of the season.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reported that the Chicago Cubs had officially taken the outfielder's name out of any potential trade talks as the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches.

This comes in the midst of an eight-game win streak that has allowed the Cubs to creep back into playoff contention. Before this, the team was looking into dealing the resurgent Bellinger, with clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins linked as potential candidates.

Bellinger is having a career resurgence with the Cubs, hitting .315 with 15 home runs and 46 RBI's across 73 games in 2023. While these numbers don't stand up to his 2019 MVP season, they are significant improvements from his final seasons with the Dodgers and show that the 27-year-old still has plenty left in the tank.

He signed a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Cubs ahead of the season, so he will be a free agent once again at the conclusion of the season. For a Cubs team that spent much of the season below .500, he seemed like a worthy trade candidate to gather prospects and continue the rebuild.

However, the recent win streak has revitalized the team and they now are within striking distance of a playoff spot. The Cubs are 53-51 and are just 3.5 games outside of first place in the NL Central. They are also just three games outside of the final NL Wild Card.

Rogers reported that the team will instead look to bolster the bullpen as they chase a return to the playoffs after a two season hiatus.

The New York Yankees have "had conversations" about trading for Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger, but the Cubs are "firmly on the fence" about whether the team will be selling or buying at the deadline, an industry source told ESPN's Buster Olney.

The Yankees' outfield was left exposed in the absence of Aaron Judge, who made his return to the field Friday. Trading for a former Gold Glove winner in Bellinger could help pad the team's outfield depth, depending on if the Cubs decide to make him available.

Bellinger has a career-high batting average of .319 through 72 games and would be a vital part of the Cubs' playoff push if they decide to make a run at the postseason.

The Cubs and Yankees are both three-and-a-half games back of a wild card spot with three days remaining until the August 1 deadline.

Bellinger is currently on a $12 million deal with a mutual option for 2024.

Do the Cubs believe Bellinger, who is batting .427 through the month of July, can maintain his current hot streak? His contact rate is up but his average exit velocity is down, as pointed out by CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson, raising the question of how long that pace can continue.

Prior to arriving in Chicago, Bellinger batted .165 and .210 in two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Another question to consider before making a decision on Bellinger is the club's chances of competing in the postseason. The Cubs are currently on a seven-game winning streak that has led them to rethink their status as trade deadline sellers and consider keeping Bellinger and pitcher Marcus Stroman, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Because of his .319/.369/.546 slash line following two down seasons with the Dodgers, it seems likely Bellinger will eschew his mutual option in 2024 in favor of getting a more favorable deal on the open market.

That means if Chicago misses the playoffs without moving Bellinger first, they risk losing him for nothing. At the same time, other clubs know the likelihood that Bellinger will be a rental, potentially lowering the ceiling of the Cub's asking price.

The Cubs' decision on Bellinger could come down to how the club performs in these last three games before the Tuesday deadline. Chicago faces the St. Louis Cardinals twice this weekend before taking on the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

As the hottest team in baseball in right now, the Chicago Cubs may be pumping the brakes on their plans ahead of the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 1.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Friday that the organization is rethinking its strategy of being sellers at the deadline, which could take star outfielder Cody Bellinger and pitcher Marcus Stroman off the market.

Both players have been a part of trade rumors over the past several days, with the Houston Astros checking in on both of them, per CBS Sports' Mike Axisa.

Chicago is currently on a six-game winning streak and are 8-2 over their last 10 games, the best record of any team in the league over that span. It's now back at .500 and just 5.5 games behind the first place Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central standings.

It is also just four games out grabbing one of the Wild Card slots.

So, their best shot of staying in playoff contention would be to hold on to Bellinger and Stroman for the moment. They were both expected to be a couple of the biggest commodities at this year's deadline.

Fox Sports' Ben Verlander believes that the Astros would be a perfect fit for the 32-year-old right-hander.

"Stroman is perhaps the top arm available at the deadline as of right now," Verlander wrote in a recent column. "I believe that the Houston Astros are the perfect fit for him. They have what it takes to go get him, and we have seen them be aggressive this way in the past, with a mindset of what will make them better in the playoffs."

Stroman is fresh off his second All-Star Game appearance and has gone 10-7 in 22 starts this season with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.202 WHIP.

As for Bellinger, the former NL MVP has been connected with multiple contenders around the league, namely the Miami Marlins, who are looking to take advantage of an unexpectedly strong start to the year in South Florida.

Bellinger, who has been a bit injured this year, is having one of the best seasons of his career, batting .317/.364/.546 with 15 homers and and 46 RBI in 71 games to go along with a .910 OPS, the highest since his MVP season in 2019.

It may be a bit risky for the Cubs to bring both players back as Stroman is expected to opt out of his contract this offseason, per Axisa. Bellinger has a mutual option to return to the Cubs in 2024.

They could end up losing both stars for nothing in the winter.

But if it means it would give Chicago even a decent shot at the postseason, it's worth the risk. And if the Cubs are able to make some noise down the stretch, it could give the players enough motivation to come back if they see potential to compete long-term in the Windy City.

Despite having won four straight and climbing within five games of a playoff spot in the National League, the Chicago Cubs could still end up selling ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Miami Marlins are among the teams that have taken an interest in Cody Bellinger if the Cubs start dealing.

The Marlins and Cubs are two difficult teams to figure out. Miami has spent most of the season over .500 and in playoff contention, but its minus-25 run differential is ahead of only the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies in the NL.

The Cubs haven't been over the .500 mark since May 6 (17-16), yet they have the fourth-best run differential in the NL (plus-45). No other team in the NL Central has a positive run differential.

If Miami hopes to make a run for the playoffs, adding a power hitter to the lineup feels like a necessity. The offense is tied for 21st in slugging percentage (.396) and tied for 29th in homers (91).

Bellinger could be one of the most sought-after hitters leading up to the deadline. He's having a terrific bounce-back season with a .314/.363/.540 slash line, 14 homers and 12 stolen bases in 292 plate appearances for the Cubs.

The Athletic's Jim Bowden reported earlier this week the Texas Rangers are a team that could have interest in Bellinger. Jon Heyman of the New York Post noted the New York Yankees could also make a play for the two-time All-Star if they decide to buy at the deadline.

Chicago signed the former NL MVP to a one-year deal in the offseason. He's been even better than even the most optimistic fan could have predicted after a rough final two years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

There's an argument the Cubs should look to buy because there's no dominant team in the division and they've played better than their 49-51 record would indicate. They are only five games out of a wild card spot and six games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.

The Marlins will have a tough time in the NL East because the Atlanta Braves have the best record in MLB (64-35), but they are only one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants (both 55-47) for the final two playoff spots.

In the midst of a terrific rebound season, Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger figures to be one of the most sought-after players for playoff contenders before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

Per The Athletic's Jim Bowden, the Texas Rangers are a team that "could be interested" in the 2019 National League MVP if the Cubs opt to sell at the deadline.

The Cubs' status leading up to the deadline seems to change frequently, in part because no one has taken control of the NL Central at this point.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network reported last week other teams believe Chicago will sell at the trade deadline.

The Cubs have won five of their last six games, including three straight over the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend, to move within three games of .500 (48-51) for the first time since June 27.

They have a run differential of plus-41, fourth-best in the NL behind the Atlanta Braves (+148), Los Angeles Dodgers (+106) and San Diego Padres (+52).

Chicago is currently 5.5 games out of a wild card spot and 6.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race.

The schedule does set up for the Cubs to continue this hot streak before the trade deadline with a six-game road trip against the Chicago White Sox and Cardinals starting Tuesday before a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley starting July 31.

If the Cubs do end up selling, Bellinger and Marcus Stroman are the two most-likely candidates to be moved.

Stroman is the final guaranteed season of his deal, but he has a $21 million player option for 2024. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney reported on July 1 the Cubs are "not inclined" to sign the All-Star right-hander to an extension because they want to keep their options open.

Bellinger signed a one-year prove it deal worth $17.5 million with the Cubs during the offseason after three injury-plagued seasons with the Dodgers. He's been terrific with a .319/.369/.549 slash line, 14 homers, 44 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 68 games.

The Rangers are looking to keep their lead in the American League West with the Houston Astros starting to surge. Texas has a three-game lead in the division with a 59-41 record thanks to an offense that has scored an MLB-high 580 runs.

Adding Bellinger to the mix would make an already-dangerous lineup even more imposing as the Rangers attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

It was a moment nearly 100 years in the making for the Chicago Cubs.

Not a World Series title, but nearly as meaningful.

With their 3-0 over the Yankees in New York on Friday night, the Cubs notched their first win over the Bronx Bombers at Yankee Stadium in franchise history, breaking a 12-game losing streak that dates all the way back to the 1932 World Series, according to OptaSTATS.

A fantastic outing by former Yankee Jameson Tallion, who went eight innings, giving up no runs, just two hits and a walk, gave Chicago just enough room to work with on offense to get the victory.

Cody Bellinger hit a homer in the third inning off starter Carlos Ródon in his pinstripes debut and RBIs from Nico Hoerner and Patrick Wisdom helped seal the win and history.

It allowed the Cubs to Fly the W for the first time against the 27-time champs in New York.

It's one of the brightest moments of the campaign for Chicago, who sit third in the NL Central at 41-46, seven games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds.

As for the Yankees, this is a new low point, having dropped three games in a row and going 13-16 with a MLB-low .214 batting average since Aaron Judge went out with a toe injury back on June 3.

They are now fourth in the AL East at 48-41.