With Chicago Cubs Spring Training just over a month away, it’s time to start paying attention to essential roster decisions. Bubble roster battles are always fun to watch, and the Chicago Cubs’ most significant question marks come in the bullpen. FanGraphs’ Roster Resource projects what the team’s roster will look like come Opening Day, but Javier Assad isn’t necessarily a lock to make the OD roster. Here’s how the projections have the Cubs at the time of writing:
Colin Rea
Javier Assad
Hoby Milner
Caleb Thielbar
Hunter Harvey
Jacob Webb
Phil Maton
Daniel Palencia
Four Chicago Cubs Pitchers to Watch in Spring Training
Of those penciled in for a spot, only two have remaining minor league options. One of them, Daniel Palencia, is the team’s potential closer and feels like more of a guarantee to make the roster. The other big name in question is Javier Assad. Let’s dive into four names to keep an eye on in Cubs Spring Training, starting with someone who is on the cusp of breaking out.
Ben Brown
Still just 26 years old, right-hander Ben Brown has shown flashes of brilliance in his short career. Unfortunately, the results have never fully manifested. Brown has had two consecutive seasons in which his FIP was well below his ERA, including 2025’s 5.92 ERA (4.08 FIP, 3.92 xFIP). His .347 BABIP also pairs with the lower FIP, suggesting he often got unlucky, which isn’t typical for Cubs pitchers playing behind an elite defense. Steamer projects Brown to turn the corner in 2026:
Brown 2026 Steamer projections: 3.39 ERA, 3.36 FIP, .292 BABIP, 10.28 K/9, 49.0 IP
His 2025 season included 15 starts and 106.1 innings. He is a pitcher who feels one step away from turning the corner into massive success. The biggest knock so far has been his primary two-pitch mix, which, over time, isn’t difficult for hitters to sit on. Brown needs to successfully deploy a third pitch in the majors, which would make him an actual weapon in the Cubs’ bullpen. Given his spot-start and bulk relief ability, he ranks higher on this list than others. He is a sleeper breakout candidate for the Cubs this season.
Javier Assad
Javier Assad’s 2025 season was mostly lost due to a severe oblique injury that cost him most of the year. He tossed just 37 innings but still recorded a 3.65 ERA. Assad has been effective in any role he’s played, owning a respectable 3.43 ERA over his four-year tenure with the Cubs. Assad or Brown likely have the inside track to the final bullpen spot, given their ability to pitch in bulk relief or make spot starts when necessary.
Assad 2026 Steamer projections: 4.06 ERA, 4.15 FIP, .296 BABIP, 7.93 K/9, 61 IP
Steamer projects some regression for Assad in 2026. His .270 BABIP is expected to rise by 26 points, which would in turn adjust his ERA and FIP. Over his career, Assad has benefited somewhat from good luck. Assad and Brown fill similar roles and appear to be trending in opposite directions. How both pitchers look this spring will be telling. The production has always been there for Assad, but if Brown can tap into his untapped potential, the Cubs may have their answer.
Porter Hodge
Porter Hodge is a pitcher who still has plenty to offer but hasn’t quite stuck in the majors due to command issues. His 4.9 BB/9 is the primary culprit. He has yet to harness his control, which ballooned his ERA to 6.27 in 2025. That said, Hodge was excellent in 2024 despite issuing free passes. Two years ago, he recorded a 1.88 ERA along with nine saves. His 2.75 FIP suggested that, despite the walks, he was still dominant on the mound.
Hodge 2026 Steamer projections: 3.87 ERA, 4.07 FIP, .291 BABIP, 9.76 K/9, 50 IP
Steamer is bullish on Hodge having a bounce-back season. The projected 50 innings pitched suggests they believe he will spend a meaningful amount of time at the significant league level in 2026. He has the stuff if he can command the baseball. Still, it isn’t easy to see him making the Opening Day roster unless he dominates in Spring Training. It seems more likely that he will be optioned to Iowa to begin the year, with Cubs fans seeing him up and down throughout the season as needed.
Luke Little
Luke Little will also be a key name to monitor in Spring Training. The Cubs already have two left-handed bullpen arms in Hoby Milner and Caleb Thielbar, but it’s not out of the question for them to break camp with three. After a serious lat injury hindered the end of his 2024 season and carried into 2025, Little was handled cautiously upon his return. He appeared in just 2.2 MLB innings last year, but there has never been a shortage of confidence in what he can bring to the table when healthy.
Little 2026 Steamer projections: 3.36 ERA, 3.75 FIP, .296 BABIP, 10.51 K/9, 22 IP
Along with Little’s projections come the eyesore of a 4.94 BB/9, which firmly falls into the “awful” category. Little makes this list because he does have a chance to break camp with the Cubs. More likely, he will fill a similar role to Hodge as a call-up when needed unless he significantly outperforms expectations. Walks have been a major issue, and correcting them could unlock a dynamite reliever. His 6’8” frame makes him a polarizing presence on the mound, but improved control will be required for him to take the next step forward.
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