On Sunday, the Chicago Cubs defeated the New York Mets 2-1 to sweep the weekend series.
Chicago is now 12-9, but sits in fourth place in the NL Central, which looks like the best division in baseball.
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GettyMESA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 17: Dylan Carlson #5 of the Chicago Cubs poses for a portrait during photo day at Sloan Park on February 17, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Just last week, the Chicago Cubs designated Dylan Carlson for assignment. He declined the option to go to the minors and elected free agency.
On Monday, per MLBTradeRumors.com, the Cubs signed Dylan Carlson back, but on a minor league contract:
“The Cubs re-signed outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract after he was designated for assignment and elected free agency last week. The team never formally announced it, but Carlson’s deal is reflected on the MLB.com transaction log and he suited up for the team’s Triple-A Iowa club yesterday. Carlson is represented by ALIGND Sports.”
Carlson has logged four at-bats with the Chicago Cubs this season and has failed to record a hit thus far.
Dylan Carlson has played in parts of seven MLB seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and now the Cubs.
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Dylan Carlson’s MLB Career
GettyDENVER, CO – JULY 03: Dylan Carlson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals runs before scoring an eighth inning run against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 3, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
In 570 career games across seven seasons, Dylan Carlson holds a .233 batting average with 43 home runs, and an OPS+ of 91. He’s a 27-year-old outfielder from Southern California.
His best season came in 2021 with the Cardinals, when he hit 31 doubles and 18 home runs in 149 games.
Since then, Carlson has had a tough time finding playing time. Since 2021, he’s hit 22 home runs.
GettyTORONTO, ON – JULY 26: Dylan Carlson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases on his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on July 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
In 2025, with the Baltimore Orioles, Carlson really struggled. He hit .203 in 217 at-bats.
He’s still a good piece to have in the organization for the Cubs, but it’s unclear when he will get his next MLB opportunity.
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Chicago Cubs Off to Solid Start
Although the NL Central is jam-packed, the Chicago Cubs are off to a solid 12-9 start. Their next series is against the Philadelphia Phillies for a four-game set at Wrigley Field.
From April 13 to 15, the Cubs just took two of three from the Phillies.
Chicago improved to 7-5 at Wrigley Field after three home wins over the weekend. In Chicago’s last 10 games, they are 7-3.
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