The Chicago Cubs placed Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain and right-hander Edward Cabrera on the 15-day IL with a finger blister.
What was supposed to be a standard afternoon at Wrigley Field quickly turned into a sobering afternoon for the Chicago Cubs. During an 11-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, shortstop Dansby Swanson swung at a first-pitch fastball from Cardinals starter Hunter Dobbins, missed, and immediately dropped his helmet to the dirt in obvious physical distress, as mlb.com reported.
That single swing changed the infield calculus for a ballclub chasing the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central while holding a strong position in the National League Wild Card race. By Monday, the initial clubhouse diagnosis of left side discomfort was confirmed as a left oblique strain, landing the veteran infielder on the 10-day injured list following an MRI exam.
The Severity of Swanson’s Injury and Defensive Fallout
Oblique injuries are notoriously tricky to rush, and the Cubs know they will be without their defensive anchor for the better part of a month.
Swanson’s absence creates an enormous void on the diamond. Entering the series finale, the Cubs led the majors in both fielding run value at 63 and outs above average at 59, per Statcast data cited by mlb.com. Swanson personally accounts for a 12 fielding run value, which ranks eighth among all qualified major league fielders, alongside 16 outs above average.
“There’s no replacing Dansby. It just stinks. Yeah, I think our team’s in a good place to handle it, but I think you’re also going to feel just how valuable Dansby is in his absence, right? That’s a hard thing to cover.”
Nico Hoerner, Cubs second baseman, via mlb.com
Offensively, the 32-year-old infielder has compiled a .216/.300/.404 slash line through 119 games, contributing 18 home runs, 16 doubles, 66 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. He had been particularly hot since late June, posting a .489 slugging percentage and an .815 OPS.
How the Cubs Plan to Cover the Infield
To navigate the next four weeks, the Cubs will rely heavily on positional flexibility.
With Hoerner moving to short, rookie Pedro Ramírez is in line to receive regular starts at second base. Meanwhile, the club made a flurry of corresponding roster moves, recalling right-hander Javier Assad and outfielder Kevin Alcántara from the minors while selecting the contract of infielder Owen Miller. To clear a 40-man roster spot for Miller, right-hander Daniel Palencia was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
The team is also monitoring infielder Matt Shaw, who has been sidelined since late June with a left hand sprain. Shaw could begin a minor league rehab assignment soon, potentially providing another internal option at the keystone once he clears health hurdles.
Edward Cabrera’s Blister Issues Prompt a Role Change
Swanson is not the only high-profile player headed to the shelf. Right-hander Edward Cabrera was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right middle finger blister. Cabrera had just returned from a hamstring strain, but the recurring blister issue flared up again, preventing him from completing four innings in his latest start.
Blisters have plagued Cabrera across multiple organizations, including stints on the injured list with the Miami Marlins in both 2021 and 2025.
Whether this bullpen transition becomes a permanent home for the young right-hander—whom the Cubs acquired from Miami in a deal that cost them three players, including Owen Caissie—remains an open question as the organization balances his long-term rotation potential with his immediate availability down the stretch.
