Bryse Wilson is on the Cubs after a June 24, 2026 claim from the Phillies, and Christian Roa was designated for assignment to clear the move. Chicago needed another arm on a day it was already juggling pitching injuries and a doubleheader.
Bryse Wilson Joins Cubs
The right-hander had been added to the Phillies roster only briefly after triggering an upward mobility clause last week, then was bumped off after one scoreless appearance of two innings. He began the year with the Phillies on a minor league deal, was released in early June, and then re-signed to a new minor league deal before that short major league stretch.
Wilson is 28 and brings nine seasons of MLB experience, with 164 appearances, 57 starts, 463 innings, a 4.80 earned run average, a 16.5% strikeout rate and a 7.5% walk rate. He also logged 12 Triple-A appearances this year, working 54 1/3 innings with a 6.29 ERA.
Christian Roa Leaves 40-Man
The corresponding move sent Roa off the 40-man roster. He was claimed off waivers last month, did not make a major league appearance for the Cubs because he was on optional assignment, and arrived after a route that ran through the Astros, Twins and Orioles before landing with Chicago.
Roa’s track record is smaller. He has 11 2/3 innings of big league experience and posted a 2.83 ERA in 60 1/3 Triple-A innings last year, with an 11.4% walk rate and a 26.1% strikeout rate. For the Cubs, that made him the easiest roster piece to move when Wilson became available.
Cubs Rotation Pressure
The claim came as the Cubs placed Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown on the injured list because of a hamstring strain and a neck strain, respectively. Javier Assad started the first game of the doubleheader on June 24, 2026, Shota Imanaga was scheduled for the nightcap, and Matthew Boyd was expected to come off the injured list on June 25, 2026.
Justin Steele has had setbacks in his attempts to return from last year's elbow surgery, Cade Horton is out for the season because of Tommy John surgery, and Jameson Taillon is on the shelf with a hamstring strain. Wilson now has to report and fit into an active roster spot, which leaves Chicago with another immediate pitching decision after a day built around survival.
