A Chicago Cubs’ six-man rotation continues to be a common discussion as the 2026 season progresses. Injuries and poor performances have plagued the team, leading to Chicago falling in the division race amid a two-month struggle. Aside from the breakout season that Ben Brown has had, there have been few encouraging signs. This has led the team to explore several trade targets in an attempt to turn the season around. However, expanding the rotation could help cover up a lot of those same issues.
Behind the Possible Cubs Six-Man Rotation
The Need and Risk
There is no doubt about the team’s talent. Chicago is full of strong players, but has just not been able to translate that into on-field success. The biggest reason for this is injuries, as nearly every starter has missed some time. While that is hard to prevent, adding an extra starter helps lower those chances. Most teams run with five starters, allowing each player to use the same schedule to ramp up for a start. This ensures that each guy stays fresher, while also ideally giving the bullpen more rest. More time off seems like a positive, but it also carries some concerns.
The first concern with the possible six-man rotation, and really for anyone who tries to do it, is that it is hard to have six players who can offer quality play for an entire season. Chicago has plenty of pitchers who could offer solid starts, but in 2026, no one has been able to consistently string together multiple quality starts. This also limits the number of games that the top starters play, which technically does prevent your best player from playing.
One of the other risks with this is that it limits the number of bullpen arms you can carry. It may only eliminate one spot, but that can still heavily impact the game plan. Chicago has already seen their bullpen get stretched thin due to injuries and starters not lasting long in games. If you are down a player, then it puts more of a workload on the other arms. While having a sixth starter does offer the upside of keeping starters fresh, it also runs the risk of increasing the workload of the bullpen.
What the Cubs Six-Man Rotation Could Look Like
If the Cubs did decide to expand the rotation, then they would have various factors to consider. Ben Brown has been one of the team’s best players so far, and would have a rotation spot regardless of the route that Chicago goes. In 2026, he is 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 68 innings. He started the season out of the bullpen, but when injuries increased, he was given a chance, and no one has looked back since.
The Middle Tier Starters
The next two guys up in the rotation have had very similar seasons. Shota Imanaga and Edward Cabrera have both had shaky years so far. Early on in 2026, they were living up to their hype and looked like they would be anchors of the rotation. However, they then struggled and have not been able to provide the team with the quality play they were hoping for. The talent that they have likely keeps them in the rotation for now, but they are on short leashes for now.
Matthew Boyd has had a similar season to those two, although his year has been plagued by injuries. Last season, he showed his potential and served as the top starter on the team. 2026 has been the complete opposite, as he is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in only 24 innings. The Cubs have been hoping that he would be able to bring his veteran presence, but then suffered another setback. Now, he made another rehab start and could very well be on his way back to Chicago soon.
Atta Boyd 👏
Matthew Boyd struck out seven in his four scoreless innings as tonight’s #SBCubs starter! pic.twitter.com/IODEc2uQvQ
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) June 21, 2026
Bottom of the Rotation Guys
After those four, in a typical rotation, there would be one spot left for three players: Colin Rea, Jameson Taillon, and Javier Assad. However, if the Cubs’ six-man rotation were implemented, then you could add another quality starter while also having the third player in the bullpen. Rea has provided quality length, but this season, he has struggled to limit damage. Taillon has had a similar story, but is now dealing with an injury and has still allowed the second-most home runs in the league.
Assad has often given the Cubs a valuable guy to start as needed. Anytime someone has dealt with an injury, he has been the first one to come back up to the Major League level. Over the last month, he has gone 18 innings with a 1.00 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and two wins. In his career with Chicago, he has often been a reliable arm but has not been a game-changer. Now, if he were to be the fifth or sixth starter, it would be the perfect role for him.
Another strong start for Javier Assad 👏 pic.twitter.com/peWEqPfJnL
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 18, 2026
Last Word on the Cubs Six-Man Rotation
The possibility of a Cubs six-man rotation offers many risks, but it also has the chance to take the team to the next level. It is a long season, and the best ability is availability. With the season they have had so far, finding a way to keep pitchers healthy is the biggest priority, and adding another starter very well could do that. Chicago is one of the few teams that has the depth to do it, although most of their starters have had rough years. Ultimately, if the team can find a way to improve their pitching production, then they have all the tools to compete with the best teams in the league.
Main Photo: David Banks- Imagn Images
