Cubs Suffer Another Season-Ending Pitching Injury

Right-hander Porter Hodge to undergo Tommy John surgery, adding to Cubs' bullpen woes.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:04am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric representation of a baseball game, with overlapping shapes and planes in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conveying the disjointed nature of the Cubs' injury-plagued season.The Cubs' pitching staff has been shattered by injuries, forcing the team to find new ways to piece together a competitive roster.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs have suffered another major blow to their pitching staff, with right-hander Porter Hodge announced to be undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. Hodge was already on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain, and now faces a lengthy recovery timeline that will keep him out for the rest of 2026 and a good portion of 2027.

Why it matters

The Cubs' pitching staff has been ravaged by injuries this season, with several key starters and relievers already sidelined. Hodge's loss is a significant one, as he had been expected to play a key role in the bullpen after a promising rookie campaign in 2024.

The details

Hodge was selected by the Cubs in the 13th round of the 2019 MLB Draft and made his debut in 2024. That year, he pitched to a 1.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 43 innings out of the bullpen, also serving as the team's closer for part of the season. However, his production declined in 2025, and he was already dealing with an injury to start the 2026 campaign.

  • Hodge was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain earlier this season.
  • He will now undergo Tommy John surgery, which will keep him out for the remainder of 2026 and a significant portion of the 2027 season.

The players

Porter Hodge

A right-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who was selected in the 13th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He made his debut in 2024 and had a promising rookie season out of the bullpen, but struggled in 2025 and is now facing season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Hector Neris

A former closer for the Cubs who was released by the team in August 2024, allowing Hodge to take over some closing duties that season.

Daniel Palencia

A Cubs relief pitcher who took over as the team's closer after Hodge struggled with save opportunities in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“#Cubs Porter Hodge will undergo UCL surgery and miss the rest of the season.”

— Taylor McGregor, Reporter, Marquee Sports Network

What’s next

The Cubs will need to find additional bullpen depth to fill the void left by Hodge's injury, likely turning to some combination of Daniel Palencia, Ben Brown, Caleb Thielbar, and other relievers currently on the roster or in the minors.

The takeaway

The Cubs' pitching staff has been decimated by injuries this season, with Hodge's Tommy John surgery the latest blow. This setback will force the team to get creative with their bullpen options as they try to stay competitive in the NL Central race.