Jordan Bastian
@bastianmlb.bsky.social
MLB.com senior reporter covering the Cubs (since 2019). Previously covered Cleveland (2011-18) and Toronto (2005-10). Michigan State alum. Liverpool fan. Runner. Also bastianmlb on Instagram.
Minor League coaching staffs for the Cubs this season ⤵️
February 18, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Minor League coaching staffs for the Cubs this season ⤵️
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Moisés Ballesteros (Venezuela) and Christian Bethancourt (Panama) are unlikely to be in camp until the "end of the week or next weekend at the earliest." They have been going through travel delays due to visa issues.
February 15, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Moisés Ballesteros (Venezuela) and Christian Bethancourt (Panama) are unlikely to be in camp until the "end of the week or next weekend at the earliest." They have been going through travel delays due to visa issues.
Official: Cubs have signed RHP Shelby Miller to a 2-year deal with a club option for 2028. Miller is expected to miss most (or possibly all) of this season while rehabbing from TJ surgery.
INF Ben Cowles DFA’d to clear a 40-man spot for Miller.
INF Ben Cowles DFA’d to clear a 40-man spot for Miller.
February 15, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Official: Cubs have signed RHP Shelby Miller to a 2-year deal with a club option for 2028. Miller is expected to miss most (or possibly all) of this season while rehabbing from TJ surgery.
INF Ben Cowles DFA’d to clear a 40-man spot for Miller.
INF Ben Cowles DFA’d to clear a 40-man spot for Miller.
“That intensity that he brings is something that’s really going to help this team. He cares. Like, he’s a baseball junkie.”
More ⤵️
More ⤵️
Bregman's leadership already shining through with Cubs
MESA, Ariz. -- Alex Bregman made a point to stop in the coaches’ office on a recent spring morning to chat with the group about things they wanted to zero in on with the players during the spring. It ...
www.mlb.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:58 AM
“That intensity that he brings is something that’s really going to help this team. He cares. Like, he’s a baseball junkie.”
More ⤵️
More ⤵️
Sir Charles tours Cubs camp, Wiggins throws live BP and other notes ⤵️
Cubs get camp debuts from top pitching prospect ... and Sir Charles!
MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins walked over to an entrance in the back of the team’s complex on Friday morning and called out to Rick Sutcliffe.
“Hey, where’s your friend?” Jenkins sa...
www.mlb.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Sir Charles tours Cubs camp, Wiggins throws live BP and other notes ⤵️
If someone surprising shows up at Cubs camp, assume they’re buddies with Rick Sutcliffe.
Today? Charles Barkley.
Today? Charles Barkley.
February 13, 2026 at 5:50 PM
If someone surprising shows up at Cubs camp, assume they’re buddies with Rick Sutcliffe.
Today? Charles Barkley.
Today? Charles Barkley.
Wright and Velasquez are now official. Both are NRIs.
Vince Velasquez was in Cubs' clubhouse this morning and Kyle Wright is on the schedule to throw a bullpen session today. They are NRIs this spring, though not yet "officially" announced by the team.
February 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Wright and Velasquez are now official. Both are NRIs.
Javier Assad reported to Cubs camp today after a brief delay. The team is still awaiting the arrivals of Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt, who are dealing with visa issues, per Craig Counsell.
February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Javier Assad reported to Cubs camp today after a brief delay. The team is still awaiting the arrivals of Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt, who are dealing with visa issues, per Craig Counsell.
Vince Velasquez was in Cubs' clubhouse this morning and Kyle Wright is on the schedule to throw a bullpen session today. They are NRIs this spring, though not yet "officially" announced by the team.
February 12, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Vince Velasquez was in Cubs' clubhouse this morning and Kyle Wright is on the schedule to throw a bullpen session today. They are NRIs this spring, though not yet "officially" announced by the team.
Cubs head into '26 with a sense of "unfinished business" after last year's October exit ⤵️
With offseason additions in tow, Cubs hunger to take care of 'unfinished business'
MESA, Ariz. -- Jameson Taillon did his best to describe the feeling that has been permeating through the Cubs’ facility since players began arriving in Arizona. Excitement is often paired with high ex...
www.mlb.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Cubs head into '26 with a sense of "unfinished business" after last year's October exit ⤵️
A few photos from Cubs camp on Wednesday. (Reminder that I also post stuff on bastianmlb on IG)
February 11, 2026 at 10:46 PM
A few photos from Cubs camp on Wednesday. (Reminder that I also post stuff on bastianmlb on IG)
Will Daniel Palencia get the ball in the ninth when the season begins?
"Yeah," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
More on the Last Out-Getter in today's notebook ⤵️
"Yeah," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
More on the Last Out-Getter in today's notebook ⤵️
Counsell makes it clear Palencia is Cubs closer
MESA, Ariz. – Cubs manager Craig Counsell typically avoids assigning specific roles to his relievers, especially at the outset of Spring Training. It takes time for a bullpen to take shape and even th...
www.mlb.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Will Daniel Palencia get the ball in the ninth when the season begins?
"Yeah," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
More on the Last Out-Getter in today's notebook ⤵️
"Yeah," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
More on the Last Out-Getter in today's notebook ⤵️
Cubs spring broadcast info ⤵️
February 11, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Cubs spring broadcast info ⤵️
Couple notes from Counsell's spring-opening morning presser:
• Didn't dance around a Q about the 9th inning. Said Daniel Palencia is the guy to start the season.
• Javier Assad, Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt are delayed due to visa issues. Expected to arrive "shortly" but not today.
• Didn't dance around a Q about the 9th inning. Said Daniel Palencia is the guy to start the season.
• Javier Assad, Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt are delayed due to visa issues. Expected to arrive "shortly" but not today.
February 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Couple notes from Counsell's spring-opening morning presser:
• Didn't dance around a Q about the 9th inning. Said Daniel Palencia is the guy to start the season.
• Javier Assad, Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt are delayed due to visa issues. Expected to arrive "shortly" but not today.
• Didn't dance around a Q about the 9th inning. Said Daniel Palencia is the guy to start the season.
• Javier Assad, Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt are delayed due to visa issues. Expected to arrive "shortly" but not today.
Here's info on how to navigate MLB.TV for the 2026 season ⤵️
A complete guide to navigating MLB.TV in 2026
With in-market, blackout-free streaming subscriptions available for 21 of MLB’s 30 clubs and with ESPN having acquired the rights to sell the popular MLB.TV streaming service, fans have more flexibili...
www.mlb.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Here's info on how to navigate MLB.TV for the 2026 season ⤵️
Edward Cabrera was in camp this morning — another busy day in Mesa. First official workout for Chicago’s pitchers and catchers is Wednesday.
February 10, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Edward Cabrera was in camp this morning — another busy day in Mesa. First official workout for Chicago’s pitchers and catchers is Wednesday.
“Spring Training is always symbolic of the beginning of the journey together. It’s a good time to get to know each other and bond and set the standards and expectations for the year, and also just have fun being around a baseball field again.”
Led by deep rotation, Cubs head to camp with World Series aspirations
MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs’ first official workout of the spring is not scheduled to take place until Wednesday, but the team’s complex is already a hive of activity. It looked like camp was in full swin...
www.mlb.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:47 PM
“Spring Training is always symbolic of the beginning of the journey together. It’s a good time to get to know each other and bond and set the standards and expectations for the year, and also just have fun being around a baseball field again.”
A few more snaps from the Cubs’ informal workout this morning ⤵️
February 9, 2026 at 8:39 PM
A few more snaps from the Cubs’ informal workout this morning ⤵️
A good number of Cubs’ position players are going through a normal workout this morning.
February 9, 2026 at 6:25 PM
A good number of Cubs’ position players are going through a normal workout this morning.
Formal workouts begin Wednesday in Mesa, but a lot of Cubs players are already on hand this morning.
“Guys don’t show up to get in shape anymore. Guys show up prepared and in shape. And it kind of goes without saying, everyone looks really good, really sharp.” —Jameson Taillon
“Guys don’t show up to get in shape anymore. Guys show up prepared and in shape. And it kind of goes without saying, everyone looks really good, really sharp.” —Jameson Taillon
February 9, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Formal workouts begin Wednesday in Mesa, but a lot of Cubs players are already on hand this morning.
“Guys don’t show up to get in shape anymore. Guys show up prepared and in shape. And it kind of goes without saying, everyone looks really good, really sharp.” —Jameson Taillon
“Guys don’t show up to get in shape anymore. Guys show up prepared and in shape. And it kind of goes without saying, everyone looks really good, really sharp.” —Jameson Taillon
Cubs announce their NRIs ⤵️
February 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Cubs announce their NRIs ⤵️
February 6, 2026 at 3:17 AM