Cubs' Injury Updates & Roster Moves
This roster moves and injury updates page will be updated throughout the offseason as news happens.
LATEST NEWS
Dec. 7: LHP Matthew Boyd signed to two-year Major League contract
The Cubs announced the signing of Boyd to a two-year contract, which is worth $29 million plus $1 million possible in performances bonuses (per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand). Boyd, who will turn 34 on Feb. 2, turned in a 2.72 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 2/3 innings down the stretch last season with Cleveland, following a comeback from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. The lefty allowed one run across 11 2/3 innings overall in three playoffs outings.
Nov. 26: RHP Phil Bickford signed to a Minor League contract
The Cubs added to their bullpen depth with the 29-year-old Bickford, who has a 4.62 ERA with 210 strikeouts and 73 walks in 189 innings in his MLB career. The righty has pitched with the Brewers, Dodgers, Mets and Yankees in parts of five seasons. Bickford appeared in eight games in the Majors for the Yankees in 2024, while also posting a 3.40 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 16 walks in 50 1/3 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
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. 2 on Cubs' Top Prospects list, No. 28 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)