Cubs Promote LHP Charlie Barnes, Place RHP Hunter Harvey on IL

The 30-year-old southpaw has been called up from Triple-A Iowa as the Cubs deal with another pitcher on the injured list.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp, overlapping planes in muted earth tones conveying the dynamic motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's motion highlights the complex movements and perspectives involved in the game of baseball.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs have selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes from Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right triceps inflammation. Barnes, 30, has pitched in nine career major league games, all but one as a starter, with the Twins in 2021. He has also spent time in the KBO league in South Korea.

Why it matters

The Cubs' pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries early in the season, with another reliever now sidelined. The addition of Barnes provides the team with another left-handed option out of the bullpen as they look to weather the storm of injuries.

The details

Barnes, 30, is 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA, 14 strikeouts, a 1.24 WHIP and a .205 opponent average against in three games (one start) with Triple-A Iowa this season. The lefty has pitched in nine career major league games, all but one as a starter, with the Twins in 2021, going 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA. He spent the 2022-24 seasons pitching for Lotte of the KBO, where he was a consistent starter and led the league in strikeouts in multiple seasons.

  • The Cubs selected the contract of Charlie Barnes on April 12, 2026.
  • Hunter Harvey was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 9, 2026.

The players

Charlie Barnes

A 30-year-old left-handed pitcher who has been called up from Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs. He has previous major league experience with the Twins in 2021 and spent the last three seasons pitching in the KBO league in South Korea.

Hunter Harvey

A 31-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Cubs who has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right triceps inflammation.

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What’s next

The Cubs will hope that Charlie Barnes can provide some quality innings out of the bullpen while Hunter Harvey recovers from his triceps injury. The team will continue to monitor the health of their pitching staff as they look to stay competitive in the NL Central.

The takeaway

The Cubs' pitching depth is being tested early in the season, with another reliever now sidelined due to injury. The promotion of Charlie Barnes, a journeyman lefty with some major league experience, shows the team is looking to add fresh arms to the bullpen as they navigate this challenging stretch.