The Chicago Cubs just completed the biggest trade of the offseason. The Cubs acquired Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins for Owen Caissie, Christian Hernandez, and Edgardo De Leon. Chicago was forced to give up two of their top prospects for a pitcher who could turn into an ace down the road. But Cabrera comes to the Cubs with an injury history that could be worrisome.
For the trade to go through, Cabrera had to pass his physical for the Cubs. Chicago felt comfortable enough in their medical evaluation of him to allow the trade to go through. But they might be in the minority of that opinion.
“I’ve talked to people around the league who were kind of surprised he cleared medicals,” Marquee Sports Network’s Lance Brozdowski said on the North Side Territory podcast.
“I’ve talked to people in the league who were kind of surprised that he cleared medicals,” says @LanceBroz.
The Cubs felt the risk was worth the reward with Cabrera, but his health has been an issue in the past.
Edward Cabrera Injury History
GettyEdward Cabrera has missed significant time with injuries throughout his career.
Cabrera has found himself on the injured list more than a few times in his career. This past season, the right-hander had two separate stints on the IL.
His first trip to the IL came right at the start of the season. It was due to a blister on his pitching hand, which is not uncommon in the MLB. Blisters happen, and pitchers miss starts with that issue all over the league. All things considered, a blister is not something to worry about long-term in Chicago.
The more significant injury came at the end of the season. Cabrera missed almost the entire month of September with a sprained UCL. He was able to come back and make his final two starts, which is a great sign heading into 2026. But anytime the UCL is involved in an injury, there is going to be some thought of Tommy John.
“Talking with teams who communicated with the Marlins about Cabrera; this was a hang-up for other teams,” Brozdowski said.
The other thing to keep in mind is that Cabrera missed a lot of 2024 with a shoulder impingement. Shoulder injuries can be more worrisome than elbow injuries in some aspects. In 2023, Cabrera had tendonitis in his elbow. Needless to say, the injury history is something teams had to take into account.
The Cubs ultimately decided the risk of Cabrera needing the surgery is worth the reward he will provide on the mound. After all, the 27-year-old is one of the more electric arms in the MLB.
It is also important to note that the Cubs will get three years of control over Cabrera, including 2026. That type of control over a pitcher with the ceiling that Cabrera has is what made the trade worth it for Chicago.
Not The First Time Cubs Took This Risk
GettyMike Soroka missed time with a shoulder injury after being traded to the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs took a risk like this at the trade deadline last season. Now, the trade was not as high-profile, but it is still a risk that did not pan out for Chicago.
Jed Hoyer and the Cubs traded for Mike Soroka from the Washington Nationals last year. He threw just two innings for the Cubs before missing time with a shoulder injury. Soroka returned in September to throw 6.1 scoreless innings, but Chicago knew about the risk.
Looking back, the trade may not have been worth it for the Cubs with Soroka being a half-year rental. Chicago is now in the same position with Cabrera. They know the injury risk, and they chose to make the acquisition.
If the trade pans out, the Cubs are going to look back at it very fondly. However, if his time at Wrigley Field is plagued with injuries, Chicago could come to regret giving up Caissie and Hernandez.
Cubs Trade For Edward Cabrera Comes With Significant Injury Worries