Blue Jays Acquire Ben Cowles from Cubs, Bowden Francis Placed on IL

Bassyonni

Published: February 18, 2026 3:48 PM ET

Blue Jays Acquire Ben Cowles from Cubs, Bowden Francis Placed on IL

The Toronto Blue Jays have made strategic moves to enhance their infield lineup. On Wednesday, the team announced that they claimed infielder Ben Cowles from the Chicago Cubs after placing pitcher Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list.

Ben Cowles Joins the Blue Jays

Ben Cowles, a 26-year-old infielder, has joined the Blue Jays roster. He previously spent time with the Cubs, following a trade from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. in 2024. Last season, Cowles played 128 games at the Triple-A level, during which he maintained a batting average of .235 and an OPS of .671.

During his time in the minors, Cowles hit nine home runs and recorded 18 stolen bases. His season included stints with both the Cubs’ and White Sox’s affiliates after being designated for assignment late in the season.

Career Background of Cowles

Age: 26
Drafted: 10th round, 2021, by the New York Yankees
Last season stats: .235 batting average, .671 OPS, 9 HR, 18 SB
Games played: 128 (Triple-A level)

Bowden Francis on the Injured List

In contrast, pitcher Bowden Francis will miss the entirety of the 2026 season due to an injury. He underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his right elbow. The 29-year-old had a challenging season following a breakout performance in 2024.

In 2025, Francis exhibited struggles on the mound, achieving a 6.05 ERA over 14 starts. He encountered injury issues in mid-June, which ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of the season.