Cubs acquire veteran pitcher Kevin Gausman from Blue Jays

The Chicago Cubs acquired veteran right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday night, August 2, 2026, in a move to bolster their rotation for a playoff push. In exchange, the Blue Jays received two prospects, infielder Ty Southisene and outfielder Brett Bateman.

The trade, completed just ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline, addresses the Cubs’ urgent need for starting pitching depth after a season marred by injuries. The team currently holds a four-game lead atop the National League wild-card standings. Gausman, 35, is expected to slot into the top of Chicago’s rotation. His 2026 season with Toronto saw a 5-10 record and a 4.38 ERA over 23 starts, but his underlying metrics, including a 3.51 Fielding Independent Pitching figure, and his proven track record suggest potential for improvement. Over the previous six seasons, he posted an ERA of 3.83 or better each year, earned two All-Star selections, and finished in the top 10 for the Cy Young Award three times between 2021 and 2023.

Chicago’s rotation has been depleted by injuries to key arms. Cade Horton underwent season-ending elbow surgery after just two starts, Justin Steele has yet to pitch in 2026...