MLB Spring Training games are only eight days away. This winter, the Chicago Cubs have done a fantastic job adding weapons to their roster. The biggest question surrounding the roster now is which 13 pitchers the team will deploy come Opening Day. Yesterday, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers met with Cubs skipper Craig Counsell and wasted no time getting right to the point.
After the announcement that Daniel Palencia is officially slated for ninth-inning duties, the Cubs’ bullpen is mostly set. Colin Rea, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar, Phil Maton, and Hunter Harvey do not have minor league options. That means there are only a select few options we should keep an eye on heading into Spring Training.
I asked Craig Counsell if Daniel Palencia would get the ninth inning if the reg season was starting now. Instead of the usual “we have outs-getter” answer, he simply said “Yes.”
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 11, 2026
Cubs Roster Rounding Into Form Ahead of Spring Training
Who’s Fighting for the Last Bullpen Spot?
A quick glance at the Cubs’ RosterResource and various places has Javier Assad projected to make the team. That shouldn’t be etched in stone, however. Though effective when healthy, he still has two option years remaining. The Cubs won’t hesitate to use those options if Assad falters or if somebody looks better this spring.
Ben Brown is the name you can expect to be seriously considered for the final spot. Brown has terrific underlying peripherals, and a breakout season appears to be on the cusp.
Brown 2025 Stats: 5.92 ERA, 4.08 FIP, .347 BABIP, 106.1 IP, 121 Ks
2026 ZiPS projections: 4.10 ERA, 3.69 FIP, .288 BABIP, 98.7 IP, 106 Ks
2026 Steamer Projections: 3.39 ERA, 3.36 FIP, .292 BABIP, 49 IP, 56 Ks
Many projection systems are bullish on Brown finding a consistent stride in 2026, due to the improvement of several statistics. A key analytic will be his BABIP, which, if he keeps around .300 as projected, will lead to better results. Given the Cubs’ elite defense across the field, his .347 BABIP in 2025 appears somewhat fluky.
The problem Brown has run into is that his two-pitch mix fails to keep hitters guessing. With the average hard-hit rate in MLB around 35%, Brown’s 47.3% mark in 2025 must improve. It’s no secret: the harder you hit the ball, the higher your batting average tends to be. Implementing a third pitch into his arsenal can make him a breakout candidate in 2026. A third pitch would better keep hitters off balance, leading to weaker contact and improved results across the board.
The Rest of the Bunch with a Chance
The other three — Jordan Wicks, Luke Little, and Porter Hodge — should get a fair opportunity to showcase their stuff. It’s difficult to envision both Assad and Brown being optioned before one of these three. If an injury occurs, one of them is likely to be the first call-up.
There’s a strong likelihood we’ll see all three at some point during the season. For now, the most likely look of the Cubs’ Opening Day bullpen is as follows:
Colin Rea
Ben Brown
Hoby Milner
Caleb Thielbar
Hunter Harvey
Jacob Webb
Phil Maton
Daniel Palencia
Main Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports