Cubs injuries and roster moves
This roster moves and injury updates page will be updated throughout the offseason as news happens.
LATEST NEWS
Jan. 31: INF Luis Vazquez traded to the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations
Vazquez was removed from the 40-man roster on Jan. 28 to vacate a spot for infielder Jon Berti. The 25-year-old infielder appeared in 11 games for the Cubs in 2024, going just 1-for-12 at the plate. In 64 games with Triple-A Iowa last season, Vazquez hit .263 with eight homers, 16 doubles, 24 RBIs and had a .779 OPS while playing second, third base and shortstop.
Jan. 31: RHP Brad Keller signed to Minor League contract with non-roster invitation to Spring Training
Keller, 29, joins the Cubs' depth chart and spring competition for a spot on the pitching staff after spending the past seven seasons between stints with the Royals, White Sox and Red Sox. In 166 career games (116 starts), the righty has a 4.34 ERA. In '24, Keller logged a 5.44 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 15 walks in 41 1/3 innings between Boston and the White Sox. He leans mainly on a four-seamer, slider and changeup mix, but also has a sweeper, sinker and curve in his arsenal.
Jan. 28: RHP Trevor Richards and C Reese McGuire signed to Minors contracts with NRIs to Spring Training
The Cubs built their depth chart on two fronts with the non-roster additions of Richards and McGuire, who will be in camp with the Major League squad this spring. Richards, 31, has a 4.50 ERA in 290 games in parts of seven MLB seasons, and he had a 4.55 ERA in 55 games (62 strikeouts and 35 walks in 65 1/3 innings) last year with the Blue Jays and Twins. He'll be in the bullpen mix. McGuire, 29, has seven seasons of MLB catching experience and adds depth behind Chicago's MLB group. He hit .209 (.575 OPS) in 53 games for Boston last season while posting a +1 run value, per Statcast.
Jan. 28: INF Jon Berti signed to a one-year Major League contract; INF Luis Vazquez designated for assignment
Berti, 35, is set to earn a base salary of $2 million with up to $1.3 million in incentives as part of the deal, sources told MLB.com. Berti has spent part of seven seasons in the Majors among stops with the Blue Jays, Marlins and Yankees. He has a .703 OPS and 92 OPS+ in his MLB career, and he offers experience and depth at multiple infield and outfield spots for Chicago's bench.
Vazquez was removed from the 40-man roster to vacate a spot for Berti. The 25-year-old infielder appeared in 11 games for the Cubs in 2024, going just 1-for-12 at the plate. In 64 games with Triple-A Iowa last season, Vazquez hit .263 with eight homers, 16 doubles, 24 RBIs and had a .779 OPS while playing second, third and shortstop.
Jan. 28: RHP Ryan Pressly and cash acquired from the Astros in exchange for Minor League RHP Juan Bello
Chicago will be responsible for $8.5 million of Pressly¡¯s $14 million salary for the upcoming season, a source told MLB.com. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated righty Matt Festa for assignment. More >>
INJURY UPDATES
SS Dansby Swanson (core surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Cubs announced on Dec. 7 that Swanson underwent successful core surgery in early October, but is not expected to miss any time in 2025 as a result of the surgery. The procedure was performed by Dr. Bill Meyer. Swanson, 30, is heading into the third season of a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs. Last year, the shortstop had 16 homers with a .701 OPS and a 98 OPS+ over 149 games, while playing elite defense. (Last updated: Dec. 7)
2B Nico Hoerner (right flexor tendon)
Expected return: 2025
The Cubs announced that Hoerner underwent successful flexor tendon surgery on his right forearm (performed by Dr. Keith Meister) on Oct. 11. The second baseman will focus on his rehab over the offseason and be assessed at the start of Spring Training in February to determine his next steps. In 151 games in '24, the 27-year-old Hoerner hit .273/.335/.373 with seven homers, 35 doubles, 48 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He is signed through 2026 and set to earn $11.5 million in '25. (Last updated: Oct. 21)
LHP Jordan Wicks (right oblique strain)
Expected return: 2025
Wicks was placed on the 15-day IL on Sept. 20 due to a right oblique strain, which impacted a different area than a similar setback earlier in the season. The left-hander landed on the 15-day IL with a right oblique strain on June 15 and was activated on Sept. 1. Wicks also dealt with a left forearm strain early in the season. In 11 games (10 starts) overall for the Cubs this year, Wicks posted a 5.48 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 20 walks in 46 innings. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
RHP Cade Horton (right lat strain; No. 3 on Cubs' Top Prospects list, No. 52 overall)
Expected return: 2025
Horton¡¯s 2024 season ended in August after he suffered a setback in his rehab from the right subscapularis strain that sidelined him in May. Cubs GM Carter Hawkins said on Aug. 13 that, "at this point of the year and this point of his career, it's not something that we wanted to push. We feel confident that he'll be ready to rock and roll come Spring Training, and certainly he¡¯ll be part of our plans for next year."
Horton, who was Chicago¡¯s first-round pick (No. 7 overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft, exited his May 29 start for Triple-A Iowa after logging 20 pitches in one inning (two runs allowed) against Louisville. The righty posted a 7.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 11 walks in 18 innings (five starts) for Iowa, following a four-start stint (1.10 ERA with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 16 1/3 innings) with Double-A Tennessee to begin the season. (Last updated: Sept. 29)