Major League Baseball is a ruthless business, and Chicago Cubs infielder Ben Cowles learned that firsthand on Sunday.
Cowles was celebrating his 26th birthday, but the day took on a different meaning when the Cubs needed to open up a spot on the 40-man roster to accommodate the signing of right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller.
According to the official transactions log, the Cubs designated Cowles for assignment on Sunday. He had previously been claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Jan. 15, so it was a brief second stint with the same organization he’d played minor-league ball for in each of the past two seasons.
Cowles appeared in 113 games for Triple-A Iowa last season, mostly as a shortstop, and slashed .238/.304/.382 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs. He was designated for assignment on Sept. 1, finishing the season with a 15-game stint for Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization.
The Cubs originally acquired Cowles in the 2024 trade that sent relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. to the New York Yankees. Chicago also picked up right-handed pitcher Jack Neely in the deal.
Getting cut from the team on one’s birthday is less than ideal, but Cowles might have a shot at getting claimed off waivers, as teams across the league are starting to open up roster spots by placing players on the 60-day injured list. If not, he could be outrighted off the 40-man roster and remain in the Cubs organization.
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