The Cubs have brought Ben Cowles back to Wrigleyville, as the team announced that the infielder has been claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, right-hander Shelby Miller was moved to Chicago’s 60-day injured list. Miller underwent UCL and flexor surgery last October and will miss the 2026 season.
Miller’s two-year, $2.5MM deal with the Cubs was officially announced on February 15, and Cowles was designated for assignment to create roster space. The Jays claimed Cowles off the waiver wire, but the infielder now quickly finds himself back in the Cubs organization. There hadn’t been any indication that Toronto had DFA’ed Cowles, but the Blue Jays needed to open up a spot on their 40-man roster now that Max Scherzer is returning to the team.
A tenth-round pick for the Yankees in the 2021 draft, Cowles first came to Chicago at the 2024 trade deadline, when Cowles was one of two prospects dealt to the Cubs for Mark Leiter Jr. Cowles was DFA’ed last September and claimed off waivers by the White Sox, but the Cubs brought Cowles back from their local rivals in January on another waiver claim.
Throughout all of these comings and goings, Cowles has yet to make his Major League debut. The 26-year-old posted decent numbers in the lower minors but has hit only .235/.299/.368 over 536 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. The lack of offense has surely contributed to Cowles’ apparent status as 40th-man type, though he has speed (70 steals in 92 attempts in the minors) and has plenty of experience as a shortstop, second, and third baseman, plus a couple of cameo appearances in the outfield.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see Cowles again land in DFA limbo the next time the Cubs need to create a 40-man opening, but the team clearly sees some value in the infielder’s skillset. Whether this translates into any time on the active roster remains to be seen, as Cowles might only get considered for a call-up if an injury arises to an infield regular.
Holy cow!
The Chicago Cubs.
Pot-committed to re-acquiring Ben Cowles for the last twenty months.
Crucial. Tot.
Guy must cut Ricketts grass for peanuts. Because he has as much chance of playing for the Cubs as a one legged dude.
I’m anxiously waiting for the Cubs to announce Ben is out for the next few months due to whiplash.
Well done
Welcome back Cow. Have you had enough mooooooving around this winter?
This is like when an older sibling only shows interest in a toy when the younger siblings start to play with it. Then the older sibling pretends to be interested just to take it away from the others, only to lose interest again shortly thereafter.
They want him off the 40.
The only way they can do that is to add him on the 40, and try to sneak him through.
Should have brought Castellanos back and you wouldn’t have to keep playing this game of collecting guys that aren’t gonna make it to may
After watching him in spring training, not much of a loss for the Jays
The pre-season-waiver-wire-merry-go-round continues
Pretty routine and predictable, yet still 27 individual transactions short of the Jesse Chavez–Atlanta Braves record.
Til the cowles come home.