Cubs reportedly add left-hander David Peterson from Mets in trade amid rotation concerns

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly acquired left-hander David Peterson from the New York Mets, a move aimed at stabilizing a rotation that has been strained by injuries. The report, attributed to a person with direct knowledge of the deal, frames Peterson as an available option for a staff that has had to absorb multiple setbacks in recent days.

Alongside the reported trade, the Cubs placed Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list. Brown is described as dealing with a neck strain, while Cabrera is sidelined with a left hamstring strain. Those injuries widen the need for internal pitching depth, particularly for a team that has to keep starters on a predictable workload while the bullpen picks up the extras.

In Peterson, Chicago would be adding a left-handed arm with major-league experience who has not been at his best recently, according to the characterization in the report. The Cubs are still in the middle of figuring out how to balance short-term availability with longer-term pitching plans, and a trade can provide an immediate answer when the rotation is suddenly thin.

The report does not specify the players or prospects Chicago would send to New York. Because details of the return package and formal confirmation were not included in the available information, it would be premature to describe the cost or the exact scope of the swap. Still, the timing is clear: the Cubs needed another capable starter profile, and the injured list placements made the urgency more visible.

For the Mets, the reported trade suggests an adjustment to their own pitching plans, potentially reflecting how New York views Peterson’s role and how it wants to manage the innings of the group. Trades like this are often about roster flexibility, matchups, and the ability to cover innings in a compressed stretch, especially when teams can’t count on every arm to stay available at full strength.

What to watch next is confirmation from the Mets and Cubs once the transaction is officially announced, along with any immediate changes to the Cubs’ rotation order. Equally important will be how Chicago manages the transition in the days after the trade, since the team’s injury situation may continue to force quick turnarounds and additional bullpen exposure.