Luis Verdugo rumors, news

Breaking news and rumors

Injuries and suspensions

Trade rumors, contract, salary

Stats and scores

Family

Top stories

Schedules and games

Rumors and scandals

• 20 Cubs minor leaguers have become free agents

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images It’s the annual culling of the herd. As of Monday, 513 players have been made minor-league free agents, per this article at Baseball America. Usually, the reason for this is that players get to six years of minor league service, at which time they are automatically free agents. Some of these players are being let go for other reasons. Here’s...2024
Read about Matt Dirksen news
• Minor League Wrap: Smokies season ends with a 6-3 loss to Barons

Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Smokies season ends with a playoff loss. Iowa loses late in Rochester. It’s odd that we don’t have rosters for the Arizona Fall League yet, but we do now at least know which five teams will make up the roster of the Mesa Solar Sox. In addition to the Cubs and Athletics—both of whom are always a part of the Solar Sox—t...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap news
• Minor League Wrap: Matt Shaw hits his 20th HR as Iowa beats the Bats, 7-2

Matt Shaw | Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Matt Shaw homers as Iowa beats Louisville. The Smokies take down Birmingham. Iowa right-hander Tyler Santana was placed on the Development List. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs bit the Louisville Bats (Reds), 7-2. Riley Thompson picked up the win after giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. Thompson walked four and struck out t...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap news
• Minor League Wrap: Ed Howard drives in 3 as the I-Cubs beat Louisville, 6-4

Ed Howard | Dylan Heuer Ed Howard leads Iowa past Louisville. The Smokies fall to Birmingham. Outfielder Brennen Davis finally got called up to the major leagues, but only so the Cubs could put him on the 60-day injured list. The Cubs claimed right-hander Jimmy Herget off of waivers from the Braves and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs scorched the Louisville Bats (Re...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap news
• Minor League Wrap: Cam Smith leads South Bend past Great Lakes, 7-4

Cam Smith | Liam Rooney / USA TODAY NETWORK Wins for South Bend and a doubleheader sweep for Myrtle Beach. Right-hander Daniel Missaki and infielder Hayden Cantrelle were promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa. Right-hander Lisandro Almonte joins the Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans from Mesa. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were blue after losing to the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 10-8....2024
Read about Minor League Wrap news
• Minor League Wrap: Pedro Ramirez hits a walk-off grand slam as South Bend tops Great Lakes, 4-1

Pedro Ramirez | MANDATORY CREDIT: Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK All four teams won tonight, but none more dramatically than South Bend. Left-hander Angel Hernandez was promoted to High-A South Bend from Low-A Myrtle Beach. Everyone wins tonight! Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs caged the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals), 6-2. Trey Supak got the last-minute start for Jordan Wicks...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap news

• Minor League Wrap: Caleb Kilian and Owen Caissie lead Iowa past Memphis, 4-3

Caleb Kilian | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Caleb Kilian has a solid rehab appearance. The Smokies close in on a playoff spot. Outfielder Brennen Davis was activated off of Iowa’s injured list. Right-hander Frankie Scalzo Jr. was activated off the Development List. Infielder David Bote and catcher William Simoneit were sent to the Development List. Third baseman BJ Murray Jr. was dem...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Cam Smith sets record with another HR as Pelicans win 4-1

Cam Smith | Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images Cam Smith is the hottest player in the minors right now. The Smokies take one more step towards a second-half crown. We’re all just living in Cam Smith’s world at the moment. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs laid an egg against the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 5-3. Adrian Houser started and got the loss. Houser allowed four runs on five hits over five ...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Kilian bounces back with solid rehab start as Iowa splits doubleheader

Caleb Kilian | Dylan Heuer Iowa finally plays and splits a doubleheader. The other three teams in the system come out on top. Everyone wins! OK, Iowa lost too. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs’ home field was playable tonight and they split a doubleheader with the Columbus Clippers, losing game one 9-5 and winning game two 5-1. Jordan Wicks started game one on a rehab assignment and went 2+ innin...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Hadyn McGeary’s home run leads Smokies past Blue Wahoos, 6-5

Haydn McGeary | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK Cade Horton looked like a top prospect and Haydn McGeary’s 9th inning home run won it for the Smokies. Right-hander Nick Dean was promoted to High-A South Bend from Myrtle Beach. In a corresponding move, left-hander Angel Hernandez was demoted down to Low-A Myrtle Beach from South Bend. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs edged past ...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Felix Stevens homers twice as South Bend clobbers Wisconsin, 11-3

Jefferson Rojas | GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK South Bend’s bats come alive in a romp. Matt Mervis continues to slug in an Iowa win. First, some news: Jameson Taillon’s next start will be with the Cubs, Counsell says. They are determining what date he will slot into the rotation. https://t.co/GBerRNlWKM— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 13, 2024 So that’s good news. I’d e...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Shaw triples, homers as South Bend slashes Lake County, 9-1

Matt Shaw | Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images Big inning lead to wins for Iowa, South Bend and Myrtle Beach. Today I learned that a lot of people have very strong opinions about the Top 100 prospects list. I’m surprised that so many people are familiar enough with the farm systems of 30 different franchises that they have an opinion on who should and should not be on the list. Because ...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Horton dominates and gets 1st pro win, 1-0 over Lansing
Cade Horton | Rebecca Snyder A terrific pitching performance by the Cubs’ top pitching prospect leads to a win for South Bend. Tennessee and Myrtle Beach win also. The Iowa Cubs put Brennen Davis on the injured list, It’s being described as “precautionary,” but it’s yet another injury to a really talented ballplayer who can’t stay healthy. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs lost to the St. Paul Sai...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Minor League Wrap: Cade Horton dazzles, but South Bend loses 5-2 to TinCaps anyway
Cade Horton | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK Some good performances this evening, but only Iowa managed to get a win. And they lost too. Some movement in the minors today. Infielder Chase Strumpf got promoted to Triple-A Iowa. He’d been in Double-A since June 1, 2021. Infielder Scott McKeon was promoted to Double-A Tennessee. Infielder Pedro Ramirez and outfie...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap injuries
• Getting to know the Tennessee Smokies
Owen Caissie | Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images The roster of the Cubs Double-A affiliate is absolutely loaded with top prospects. The Tennessee Smokies, the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate since 2007, announced their 2023 roster Tuesday. This year’s roster is packed with the top prospects in the Cubs’ system. It shouldn’t really be a surprise that the Smokies are loaded, s...2023
Read about Tennessee Smokies injuries
• South Bend Cubs are 2022 Midwest League Champions!
South Bend beat Lake County to take their 2nd title since 2019. South Bend Cubs The South Bend Cubs are the 2022 Midwest League Champions after a 7-4 win over the Lake County Captains (Guardians). They won both games at Lake County to win the series two games to one. All seven of South Bend’s runs came on three home runs. It started in the top of the third inning when right fielder Owen Caissie c...2022
Read about South Bend injuries

2024
"First baseman Luis Verdugo went 2 for 4."

2023
"Third baseman Luis Verdugo cranked a grand slam in the top of the first inning and that would be all the runs South Bend needed."

2022
"Third baseman Luis Verdugo smashed a two-run home run to center field in the fifth inning off of Captains reliever Raymond Burgos to make it 7-3."

• 20 Cubs minor leaguers have become free agents
2024

Read about Matt Dirksen trade rumors
• Minor League Wrap: Caleb Kilian and Owen Caissie lead Iowa past Memphis, 4-3
2024

Read about Minor League Wrap trade rumors
• Minor League Wrap: Matt Shaw leads Tennessee past M-Braves, 7-0

Matt Shaw | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The farm system won three out of four tonight. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were expelled from paradise by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 5-4. Starter Dan Straily came within one out of a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. Straily struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone. That’s pretty good. Cam Sanders reli...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap trade rumors
• Minor League Wrap: Pelicans sweep doubleheader from Augusta

Cristian Hernandez | Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images The Pelicans had the only good news down on the farm. I have a special appeal heading into the trade deadline. I’m sure most of you will ignore it, but I want it on the record anyway. When a prospect gets dealt, DO NOT quote the MLB Pipeline prospect rankings. Those have not been updated since the offseason and ...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap trade rumors
• Minor League Wrap: Alexander Canario homers twice as Iowa walks off Toledo, 5-4

Alexander Canario | Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Iowa walks it off against Toledo. Myrtle Beach gets walked off. And South Bend wins a laugher in the rain. (Cue Neil Sedaka) Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs plucked the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 5-4 in ten innings. Kyle McGowin started and gave up four runs on five hits over six innings. Two of the five hits were home runs. McGowin w...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap trade rumors
• Minor League Wrap: Owen Caissie leads Iowa past Louisville, 3-2.

Owen Caissie | Dylan Heuer Iowa sneaks by Louisville. Tennessee and Myrtle Beach win with shutouts. Right-handed pitcher Julio Teheran opted out of his contract with the Cubs and was released. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs clipped the wings of the Louisville Bats (Reds), 3-2. Thomas Pannone pitched the first five innings and allowed two runs on five hits. One of the hits was a solo home run by ...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap trade rumors
• Minor League Wrap: 4 I-Cubs homer in 11-6 win over Bison
Brennen Davis | Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Iowa’s bats continue to sizzle as they beat Buffalo. South Bend edges the Loons. I have no idea why Pete Crow-Armstrong has not played for the Smokies since Tuesday. However, on tonight’s broadcast, they announced that he would return “soon.” That was all that they said. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs corralled the Buffalo Bison (...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap trade rumors
• Getting to know the Tennessee Smokies
2023

Read about Tennessee Smokies trade rumors

• Minor League Wrap: Jaxon Wiggins shines in his Pelicans debut with 5-2 win over GreenJackets

Jaxon Wiggins in 2022 | Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Bullpen issues throughout the system means that only the Pelicans got a win. In case you haven’t heard, infielder Nick Madrigal went on the 7-day injured list with a broken left hand after getting hit by a pitch yesterday. It’s a safe bet that he’ll miss more than seven games. Iowa activated right-handers Eduarniel Nunez and Zac Le...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap stats
• Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 25

Matt Shaw | Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images South Bend goes crazy and scores 18 runs. Great pitching in Iowa and Tennessee, but only the Smokies can score enough to win. Tonight was the first home football game for my cheerleader daughter, so I didn’t actually see any games tonight. It was kind of interesting having the Cubs/Pirates game on my phone with the new 3D Gameday. Other than...2023
Read about Chicago Cubs stats
• Minor League Wrap: Kyle Hendricks impresses in a 6-1 Iowa win over Mud Hens.
Kyle Hendricks | Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Kyle Hendricks looked sharp in a rehab assignment. The Smokies stage an epic comeback. South Bend jumps all over the Timber Rattlers. Moves today in the Cubs system: The big news was that Cade Horton was promoted to South Bend after four dominating starts in Myrtle Beach. Horton is scheduled to start for South Bend tomor...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap stats
• Getting to know the Tennessee Smokies
2023

Read about Tennessee Smokies stats
• Minor League Wrap: South Bend beats Lansing, 3-1 as they close in on a 2nd-half title
Jordan Nwogu | Chloe Trofatter / USA TODAY NETWORK South Bend’s magic number drops to 3 with a win and a Beloit loss. Mixed rehab results for Adbert Alzolay and Michael Hermosillo. The Smokies also win. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were capsized by the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 7-5. Adbert Alzolay made a rehab start here and the first inning went really well. A two-out walk but nothing el...2022
Read about Minor League Wrap stats
• Minor League Wrap: Yonathan Perlaza, Smokies, beat M-Braves, 8-7
Yonathan Perlaza | Tennessee Smokies Iowa and the Smokies won today. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs shattered the Louisville Bats (Reds) 5-4. The two teams split the six-game series with three wins each. Starter Matt Swarmer got good results, but he did have to throw a lot of pitches to get there (67), so he only went 3.2 innings. He allowed one run on three hits. Swarmer walked two and struck o...2022
Read about Minor League Wrap stats

• Minor League Wrap: Cam Smith sets record with another HR as Pelicans win 4-1
2024

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Pete Crow-Armstrong has 10 total bases as I-Cubs stomp Indy, 12-0

Pete Crow-Armstrong | Dylan Heuer Pete Crow-Armstrong goes off on Indianapolis. Tennessee and South Bend win as well. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs routed Indianapolis (Pirates), 12-0. Jordan Wicks made a rehab appearance in this game and looked just fine. He pitched two innings and gave up two hits and no runs. He struck out three and walked no one. Wicks threw 33 pitches and 22 of them were s...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Getting to know the Tennessee Smokies
2023

Read about Tennessee Smokies

• Minor League Wrap: South Bend proves to River Bandits that crime does not pay, 6-1
Max Bain | Max Thoma/South Bend Cubs Myrtle Beach wins in a walkoff. South Bend just wins. The Cubs released right-handed pitcher Rowan Wick today. Outfielder Cristian More was promoted back to Myrtle Beach. He started this season with the Birds but was demoted to the complex league at the end of May. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were raided and boarded by the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), ...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: 4 I-Cubs homer in 11-6 win over Bison
2023

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Crow-Armstrong leads Iowa past Louisville, 7-5

Pete Crow-Armstrong | Dylan Heuer Iowa hangs on to win. Brennen Davis has a good rehab game. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs burned the Louisville Bats (Reds), 7-5. Starter Caleb Kilian pitched 4.2 innings and was touched for two runs, one earned, on five hits. Kilian walked one and struck out three. Because Kilian came one out short of five innings, the win went to Samuel Reyes in relief. But Rey...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: South Bend no-hits Peoria!
South Bend Cubs A combined nine-inning no-hitter for South Bend. The four full-season teams go 5-0. The Cubs released left-handed pitcher Didier Vargas. Right-handed pitcher Riley Thompson was sent from Iowa to the Development List. Wow, I picked a bad night to work on other projects rather than pay close attention to the minors. We are starting with South Bend tonight. South Bend Cubs T...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap
• South Bend Cubs are 2022 Midwest League Champions!
2022

Read about South Bend
• Minor League Wrap: Bote’s bat, glove lead Iowa past Indianapolis, 2-1
David Bote | Margaret Kispert/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Very little offense today and good pitching, but only Iowa managed to come out ahead thanks to two key double plays. The Cubs released shortstop Yeison Santana, one of the four players that they received in the Yu Darvish deal. Not much offense today. But there was one win. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs held off Indianapolis (Pirat...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: South Bend slays Quad Cities, 26-7

Moises Ballesteros | MATTIE NERETIN / USA TODAY NETWORK South Bend destroys Quad Cities. Myrtle Beach comes up on top of Columbia. The Smokies are reeling. Left-hander Adam Laskey was demoted from Tennessee to South Bend. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were washed out by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 11-7. The second game of a scheduled doubleheader was cancelled and will not be made up. Iow...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Roederer, McKeon shine in Smokies 7-1 win over Barons
Scott McKeon | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK Wins for Tennessee and Myrtle Beach. For your information, the minor leagues are taking the All-Star Break off this year. So there will be no Minor League Wrap again until Friday. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were condemned by the St. Paul Saints (Twins), 20-4. Ben Brown struggled badly with his control today and it cost ...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap

1. White Sox

2. World Series

3. Red Sox

. . .

3116. Luis Verdugo

• Minor League Wrap: Smokies season ends with a 6-3 loss to Barons
2024

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Caleb Kilian and Owen Caissie lead Iowa past Memphis, 4-3
2024

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Kilian bounces back with solid rehab start as Iowa splits doubleheader
2024

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Matt Shaw’s 2 HRs not enough as Smokies fall in first-half finale, 9-7

Matt Shaw | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports The Smokies fall short in their shot at a first-half title. South Bend romps over Lake County. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs lost to Indianapolis (Pirates), 6-4. Thomas Pannone started and took the loss. Pannone was tagged for five runs on nine hits over just 3.1 innings. Pannone struck out four and walked just one. Ethan Roberts tossed two scoreless i...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Kevin Alcántara leads Tennessee past Pensacola, 5-4

Kevin Alcantara | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK Some strong hitting performances out of the top three affiliates lead to three wins. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs ran circles around Indianapolis (Pirates), 6-5. Julio Teheran turned in his best start as an I-Cub, going five innings and allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out six and walked two. Brad Wieck pitched the ...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Hadyn McGeary’s home run leads Smokies past Blue Wahoos, 6-5
2024

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Pablo Aliendo’s RBI single walks it off for Tennessee

Pablo Aliendo | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The Smokies walk off a win. The Pelicans shut down Fredericksburg. Right-handed pitcher Ethan Roberts was promoted up to Iowa. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs lost to the Syracuse Mets, 12-5. Starter Dan Straily took the loss after getting hammered for six runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings. He walked four and struck out five Two of those hits we...2024
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Four hits, including a grand slam, for Crow-Armstrong as Iowa topples Omaha, 9-3

Dylan Heuer The Smokies clinch a playoff spot! And everybody wins! It’s the final regular season game of the year for the Pelicans and the final game overall for the South Bend. And finally some great news out of Tennessee! The Cubs released right-hander Josh Roberson. Right-hander Starlyn Pichardo was activated and shortstop Leonel Espinoza was sent down to Mesa to make room. Iowa Cubs T...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: South Bend slays Quad Cities, 26-7
2023

Read about Minor League Wrap
• Minor League Wrap: Brian Kalmer leads Pelicans past Fireflies, 5-2

Brian Kalmer | Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK A big comeback by the I-Cubs falls a run short. South Bend and Myrtle Beach win. The Smokies are struggling. Pelicans first baseman Brian Kalmer was named Carolina League Player of the Month for August. Kalmer hit .349/.414/.651 with seven home runs and 29 RBI. RIght-hander Blake Whitney was demoted from Iowa to Tennessee. Fo...2023
Read about Minor League Wrap