Injuries & Moves: RHP Arias dealt to Yankees for cash
This roster moves and injury updates page will be updated throughout the offseason as news happens.
LATEST NEWS
Jan. 15: Traded RHP Michael Arias to the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations
Arias, 23, was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Jan. 13 to open a spot on the 40-man roster to add righty Colin Rea (signed to a one-year deal with a club option for '26). Between Double-A and Triple-A in the Cubs' system last year, Arias had a 4.77 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 48 walks in 60 1/3 innings (49 games).
Jan. 14: INF Miles Mastrobuoni traded to the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations
The Cubs designated Mastrobuoni for assignment on Jan. 9 to clear a 40-man roster spot for righty Matt Festa. The versatile utility man appeared in 50 games for Chicago last season but hit just .194 with a .470 OPS.
Jan. 13: RHP Colin Rea signed to a one-year contract
The Cubs signed Rea to a one-year deal worth $5 million guaranteed. The righty will earn $4.25 million in '25 and has a $6 million club option (or $750,000 buyout) for '26. Rea posted a 4.29 ERA with 135 strikeouts and 43 walks in 32 games (27 starts) and logged 167 2/3 innings last year for Milwaukee. The right-hander previously pitched for Chicago in 2020 and was on Cubs manager Craig Counsell's staff with the Brewers in '23.
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. 42 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)