The Chicago Cubs are trying to squeeze every last bit of value out of their bullpen as they hang onto a playoff spot, and Gavin Hollowell could be part of the answer if his rehab keeps trending the right way.
Hollowell’s run before the injury gave the Cubs a real reason to take notice. The 28-year-old right-hander put together a strong stretch out of the bullpen, even if the overall sample was modest: 14 appearances and 14.1 innings.
In that span, he posted a 2.51 ERA, and from June 16 through July 30 he allowed just two earned runs in 12.2 innings. Over his final 13 games before going down with right shoulder inflammation, he turned in a 1.42 ERA with 12 strikeouts.
The shoulder issue shut him down at the end of July, and Hollowell didn’t return to game action until Sept. 5 with the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A. Since then, he has made three rehab appearances. On Friday, he worked a perfect inning of relief and struck out two batters for his second straight scoreless outing with Iowa.
Back-to-back strikeouts to cap off a 1-2-3 inning for Gavin Hollowell! pic.twitter.com/1KgtJvpcfu
- Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) September 12, 2026
If the Cubs decide Hollowell is ready to help in the majors again, the bullpen picture could shift. During this past weekend’s series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago activated Edward Cabrera from the injured list and moved him into the bullpen, with Trent Thornton going onto the 15-day injured list because of an ankle issue. And if the Cubs need to create room for Hollowell, Javier Assad is the most obvious candidate, since he’s the only pitcher on the active roster who still has minor league options remaining.
Before this latest injury, Hollowell had already forced his way back into the conversation. He had missed nearly three weeks in April with an unspecified injury while with Iowa, then struggled in his season debut, allowing two runs in 1.2 innings and walking four in a low-leverage outing against the Cincinnati Reds.
Chicago was ahead 8-1 when he entered in the eighth, but he couldn’t finish the ninth, and Craig Counsell had to turn to Daniel Palencia to get out of a bases-loaded jam. Hollowell was optioned back to Iowa the next day.
The Cubs gave him another chance because of all the pitching injuries, and he responded. In his last 13 games, Hollowell logged a 1.42 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12.2 innings, and he even handled a save opportunity against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week.
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