MESA, Ariz. — Right-hander Edward Cabrera arrived at Cubs spring training without the usual preseason briefing that free agents typically receive about team expectations and areas for improvement. Acquired in a trade from the Marlins, Cabrera entered camp amid trade rumors but without full control over his destination. The initial weeks in Mesa have focused on building the groundwork the pitcher and the Cubs missed out on during the offseason.
“It’s different, even the weather,” Cabrera remarked through an interpreter during early camp sessions.
“But I always try to be on the same page. And I feel really good. I feel really good with the staff here.”
First Impressions on the Mound
Cabrera made a strong first impression during his initial Cactus League start, delivering two flawless innings and striking out half of the Cleveland Guardians batters he faced. The Cubs are carefully managing his ramp-up, balancing the introduction of new routines with familiar elements to ease his transition.
Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy described this approach as a methodical onboarding process.
“Getting to know him, getting to know his routines, what he does in the weight room, the training room, throwing routines, bullpen routines, all those things, and then slow-dosing him information,”
Hottovy explained to the Sun-Times.
Rather than giving immediate feedback after outings or batting practice, Hottovy prefers to observe Cabrera’s natural tendencies first.
“He definitely loves attacking the strike zone,”
Hottovy noted.
“He tailors a lot of his identity, I think, in the bullpen work and lives to throw strikes. And we know if his stuff is in the strike zone, he’s really freaking good.”
Hottovy encourages Cabrera to embrace imperfection, emphasizing that competitive misses can be beneficial for his growth.
Refining Control and Pitch Selection
Cabrera’s progress from last season offers promise: his walk rate dropped from 12% in 2024 to 8.3%, showing improved command. The Cubs seek to find a balance that lets him maintain aggression without risking control. This mindset also informs potential adjustments in pitch usage.
“A lot of his usage was tied to the strike zone, which is great,”
said Hottovy.
“He knows what he can throw in the strike zone. Now I think there are little things we can tweak.”
Historically, Cabrera has heavily relied on his 94 mph changeup as his leading pitch. Last season, his curveball came second, with his sinker increasing in frequency enough to surpass his four-seam fastball because he found it easier to locate for strikes. However, in his recent outing against the Guardians, Statcast data shows Cabrera’s four-seamer was his most utilized pitch (32%), followed by the changeup (26%).
“That’s one thing that I want to do: I want to throw it more,”
Cabrera said of the four-seam fastball,
“And then it can contribute to my other pitches, as well.”
Focusing on Physical Health to Sustain Performance
The Cubs recognize that maintaining a strong physical foundation is key for Cabrera given his history of injuries. The organization has enhanced its evaluation process when acquiring players, aiming to identify underlying biomechanical issues and address them proactively.
Hottovy highlighted this comprehensive approach:
“We’re doing a much better job as an organization when we acquire guys [in terms of] understanding what they’ve dealt with. [We’re] diving into the biomechanics as to why we think that might be coming up and if there’s anything that we can help fix or help clean up throughout the process.”
Ensuring Cabrera’s strength levels and range of motion are optimized is part of a full diagnostic effort to support his durability.
Pitchers who generate high velocity, like Cabrera, are more prone to injuries, but refining mechanics for efficiency can both protect their health and potentially improve their speed on the mound.
Outlook for Cabrera and the Cubs’ Rotation
If Cabrera can stay healthy and continue developing, his skills have the potential to elevate the Cubs’ starting pitching depth considerably. Manager Craig Counsell expressed confidence in Cabrera’s trajectory, saying,
“We just think this is a talented pitcher coming into the right part of his career.”
As the team works to integrate Cabrera fully during spring training, aligning his physical readiness with strategic pitch use and mental approach, the Cubs hope to unlock his full potential in the upcoming season. This progress will be crucial for the rotation’s overall strength and the organization’s competitiveness.
