Cubs Acquire Lefty David Peterson, Trade for Prospect Mathis

The Chicago Cubs acquired veteran left-handed pitcher David Peterson from the New York Mets on Wednesday, June 24, in exchange for minor league infielder Cole Mathis. The trade addresses immediate pitching needs for the Cubs while providing the Mets with a young prospect as they look toward the future.

Peterson, 30, departs the Mets after seven seasons with the club, a tenure that included a standout 2024 campaign and an All-Star selection in 2025. His 2026 season, however, has been marked by significant struggles. In 16 appearances split between starts and relief, he has posted a 6.09 ERA over 68 innings, the worst mark of his major league career. Despite his recent performance, advanced metrics such as a 3.85 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and a ground-ball rate over 51 percent suggest potential for improvement, especially with a stronger defensive team behind him.

For the Cubs, Peterson represents a critical addition to a rotation decimated by injuries. Starters Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera were placed on the 15-day injured list this week with a neck strain and a hamstring strain, respectively. They join a lengthy injured list that also includes Justin Steele, Cade...