Edward Cabrera's Promising Start with the Chicago Cubs

Edward Cabrera made a notable impression in his first spring start for the Chicago Cubs, delivering two perfect innings and striking out three of the six batters he faced. Reflecting on his performance, Cabrera stated, “Good, very good.” His focus during the outing was on refining his pitch mix, particularly his four-seam fastball, which has been a point of concern in his previous seasons with the Miami Marlins. Cabrera's four-seamer accounted for 27.7% of his pitches in 2024 but saw a significant reduction to 13% in 2025. Despite this decrease, opposing hitters managed to hit six home runs off the pitch, leading to a .583 slugging percentage against it. Cabrera acknowledged the need for better location, saying, “If I want to throw it outside, throw it outside. That’s what every pitcher strives for.”

Chicago Tribune

The Cubs are committed to facilitating Cabrera's transition to their organization, aiming to maintain his established routines from his time with the Marlins. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized that the Cubs do not intend to overhaul Cabrera's pitching style, stating, “I don’t think there’s a big change that we think needs to happen here.” This approach reflects the Cubs' confidence in Cabrera's existing skill set and their belief in his potential for growth.

Chicago Tribune

Cabrera joins a Cubs rotation that includes experienced pitchers such as Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, who collectively have over 400 big-league starts. Additionally, the rotation features Shota Imanaga, a consistent performer, and Cade Horton, the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up. The anticipated return of Justin Steele early in the season further strengthens the rotation. This supportive environment is expected to alleviate pressure on Cabrera, allowing him to develop without the burden of being the team's top starter. Counsell noted, “I think there’s something about that that somewhere along this journey will make it a little bit easier.”

Chicago Tribune

While Cabrera possesses significant potential, he is not expected to shoulder the primary responsibility within the Cubs' rotation. The collective strength of the starting lineup allows Cabrera to focus on his development. Despite external perceptions, Cabrera maintains high expectations for himself, which Counsell believes will be crucial for his success. The Cubs view Cabrera as a valuable addition to their pitching staff, with the hope that he will thrive in this new chapter of his career.

Chicago Tribune

• “Good, very good,” — Edward Cabrera, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Tribune

• “That’s one thing that I want to do, I want to throw it more,” — Edward Cabrera, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Tribune

• “We just think this is a talented pitcher coming into the right part of his career.” — Craig Counsell, Manager, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Tribune