Good morning, Bleacher Nation.
Tough one yesterday facing the version of Will Warren the Yankees have been pining for. Even more so with Max Fried on the mound this evening for the Yankees and Gerrit Cole on Sunday. However, if this Cubs team has taught us anything, it’s that they’re a roller coaster and we’re just along for the ride, so I won’t make any predictions.
In the voluminous world of Chicago Cubs rehabbing with the promise of returning this season, Edward Cabrera made his first of three expected rehab starts at Triple-A last night, and a couple of things went right. One, he left the start healthy. Two, his velocity was there. However, what wasn’t there were good results. Thinking about the likeliest outcomes for what Cabrera could offer the Cubs the remainder of the regular season and beyond, my head tells me mid-to-back of the rotation production. In which case, if I’m Jed Hoyer, I’m not overpaying for that sort of pitcher in a trade and instead am focusing on using the prospect capital I have for a front-of-the-rotation, surefire playoff starter.First rehab start for Edward Cabrera at Triple-A is done. 1.2 IP, 2H, 3ER, 2BB, 3K43 pitches (26 strikes)Only thing that matters is build up and feeling good. Not results. Don’t sleep on the impact Cabrera *could* have the rest of this season. t.co/Wp5qCpuY5m
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) August 1, 2026 Pedro Ramirez started once again yesterday and notably hit second in Craig Counsell’s lineup. Go figure that the promising young infielder responded, going 2-for-4 with a 99.4 mph single, 99.3 mph lineout, 96 mph groundout, and 96.7 mph single. Ramirez’s two-hit game raised his batting average to .319 and wRC+ to 127. Meanwhile, whether at third or second base, he’s looked above average in the field, too. Ramirez’s recent run of starts leaves me thinking one of two things must be true. Either he’s being showcased ahead of the trade deadline, OR he’s simply played himself into a larger role. When it comes to a possible showcase, Counsell can conveniently cloak it by nature of the Cubs being in the midst of a 17 games in 17 days stretch of their schedule. If he’s played his way into a larger role, then we’re finally seeing Counsell pivot away from his years-long lean on the main position player group, which is quite notable. I, unfortunately, lean toward the recent uptick in playing time being a showcase, but I hope I’m wrong. No time was wasted in having Antoine Kelly make his Cubs debut. The Chicago native was thrown into the deep end of the pool in the 8th inning with runners on 1st and 2nd and Yankees slugging first baseman Ben Rice due up. Kelly struck out Rice on an 89 mph slider and also displayed his 95+ mph fastball in the at-bat. Kelly came back for the 9th and worked around a walk to pitch a clean inning, making for an exceptionally impressive debut. With all the bullpen arms that are expected to be returning soon, it was now or never to see what Kelly has to offer, so it’s worth watching closely how many opportunities he gets the next couple weeks and how high leverage those opportunities are.Craig Counsell tips his cap to Chicagoland native Antoine Kelly in his MLB debut ? pic.twitter.com/Yf0ns4CwFU
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 31, 2026 The Minnesota Twins made another move late last night, acquiring Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer for outfield prospect Jhomnardo Reyes. Reyes, a 2025 international signee of the Twins out of the Dominican Republic, was the No. 12 prospect in their system per Baseball America. Meanwhile, the 30-year-old Kremer has been something close to a league-average pitcher in his career, but has struggled this season, pitching to a 6.50 ERA in seven starts. Kremer does come with one more year of control, which makes it feel like even more of a Twins-esque trade in that it’s not a headline-grabber, but similar to their acquisition of A.J. Minter, it definitely looks like it’ll help. And in a rather wide-open AL Central, trades like these could end up being difference-makers. While the trade deadline frenzy has yet to begin, I’m convinced it’ll be one of the busier and more intriguing deadlines in recent memory. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers said as much yesterday while I happened to be listening to ESPN Chicago, and Jeff Passan’s reporting sure seems to suggest plenty of moves are yet to come. Rogers also said in that hit that the Cubs have a lot of lines in the water, which is what I imagine we all hoped for given the many intriguing arms reportedly available. Another thing that comes to mind when thinking of all the deadline deals likely to come is Brett preparing to embark on yet another ‘Bleacher Nation Blogathon’. The $10,000 goal was reached yesterday, but if you haven’t donated, please go here to do so. Make-A-Wish is an incredible organization in what it does for kids and families, so thanks to all of you who have donated over the past 16 years and raised nearly $250,000! Plenty of positives to mention from down on the farm Friday night. Kevin Alcantara extended his on-base streak to 39 games, and I’d like to think that while he’s not likely to be the centerpiece of any trades that net a notable return, he can be a formidable sweetener that puts a deal over the top. Owen Ayers went 1-for-2, drove in a run and walked twice. Raising his Triple-A slash line to .368/.478/.500. Kane Kepley stole his 50th base of the season and hit his 7th home run. There’s no doubt that a handful of sellers will value him. And Josiah Hartshorn drove in two with this RBI double, hitting lefty against a lefty. I did read on X that Hartshorn did take an at-bat earlier in the game right-handed against a lefty, so who’s to say why he decided to bat lefty against the left-hander in this instance? Chalk it up as another example of his talent.A left-on-left double from Josiah Hartshorn, because why not?#SBCubs pic.twitter.com/0BMi6qzC1p
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) August 1, 2026 Finally, in case you missed it, the Brewers and Guardians came together on a two-for-two swap of (basically) big leaguers, but the actual implications of this deal on the Brewers’ potential NEXT move should be the focus. Michael got into it here.Hence then, the article about cabrera rehabs ramirez s role kelly s debut deadline depth and other cubs bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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