Trent Thornton: Everything you need to know

The Cubs selected Thornton's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. The move corresponds with Charlie Barnes being designated for assignment and the Cubs placing Matthew Boyd (knee) on the 15-day injured list. Thornton was activated from Iowa's 7-day injured list in late April after fully recovering from surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. The 32-year-old right-hander has appeared in four Triple-A games, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings. With Boyd slated to undergo surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee, Thornton's addition to the Cubs' 26-man roster indicates that either Ben Brown or Javier Assad could move from the bullpen to the rotation until Jordan Hicks (elbow) is activated from the 15-day IL.

Thornton (Achilles) was activated from the 7-day injured list Friday. Thornton got off to a slow start to the 2026 campaign after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon, but he's been given a clean bill of health. He made his 2026 debut with Triple-A Iowa, where he gave up a pair of hits and one walk over two innings but managed to escape without surrendering a run.

The Cubs signed Thornton (Achilles) to a contract Monday, Tread Athletics reports. It's not clear whether it's a major- or minor-league contract, but Thornton has landed a deal after throwing for teams in a "Pro Day" at Tread Athletics training facility. Thornton had surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon but has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB over 42.1 innings for the Mariners in 2025 before getting hurt.