Cubs select contract of former Phillies, Pirates righty starter amid Edward Cabrera injury

The Chicago Cubs' starting rotation has been significantly depleted from their initial group from the beginning of the year.

Cade Horton is done for the year, Justin Steele isn't going to start for the team this season, and Jameson Taillon and now even Edward Cabrera are all on the injured list.

As the Cubs place Cabrera on the IL after a freak injury covering first base, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports that former Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez was selected by the Cubs to join the MLB rotation.

Cubs select contract of ex-Phillies righty pitcher Vince Velasquez

"Cubs roster moves: - RHP Tyler Ferguson is the 27th man for today's doubleheader. RHP Vince Velasquez' contract selected. RHP Edward Cabrera is placed on 15-day IL," McGregor reports.

The Cubs are bringing Ferguson up as the 27th man for the doubleheader against the New York Mets, but the more intriguing addition is Velasquez.

The 34-year-old right-hander made one appearance for the Cubs this season, going 2.1 innings of shutout ball with one strikeout and one hit allowed.

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Velasquez is a 10-year MLB veteran and played the majority of his career with the Phillies. He had a 4.93 ERA in 133 games and 116 starts for the Phillies in six seasons while posting 4.0 bWAR.

While he didn't make any MLB appearances in 2024 or 2025, he did have a decent stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a 3.86 ERA in eight starts during the 2023 season.

Now, the Cubs, in dire need of more pitching help, have selected the contract of Velasquez to join the MLB roster as Cabrera hits the IL for the second time this season.

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