Justin Dean: Everything you need to know

The Cubs optioned Dean to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. The 29-year-old outfielder was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in January, but he was unable to earn a spot on the 40-man roster after posting a .480 OPS across 31 plate appearances during spring training. Dean made his MLB debut with the Dodgers during the 2025 regular season, logging just two plate appearances in 18 games while primarily serving as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.

The Cubs claimed Dean off waivers from the Giants on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Dean received two plate appearances for the Dodgers in 2025 and has since gone from the Giants and now to the Cubs via waivers. The 29-year-old slashed .289/.378/.431 with 27 steals at Triple-A Oklahoma City last season and can play all three outfield spots. Dean will compete for a reserve role in Chicago.

The Giants designated Dean for assignment Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Dean arrived in San Francisco in November via waiver claim, but he'll now depart the 40-man roster to make room for Tyler Mahle. Dean slashed .289/.378/.431 and stole 27 bases across 347 plate appearances with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2025, and he's likely to work as minor-league depth again in 2026.