With the 2026 MLB Draft still more than a week away, the Cubs are finally getting a look at the player they took in the first round in 2025. Ethan Conrad made his professional debut on Tuesday night after a start to his career that had been pushed back by injury.
Conrad had been working back from shoulder surgery he underwent last summer, then ran into a back injury at the end of spring training that delayed his first game action. He was initially expected to miss about a month, but that timeline stretched into June. In recent weeks, he had been seen at the club’s spring training complex before getting into action at last.
The debut gave the Cubs a small but meaningful glimpse of why they were so intrigued by him. Conrad singled in his first at-bat and put up an exit velocity north of 105 MPH. For Chicago, that’s a reminder of the upside that made him such an appealing pick in the first place.
Conrad’s progress matters for more than just one player. The Cubs have plenty of position-player talent lower in the system, but they’re short on pitching prospects. That balance could shape how they approach trade discussions this month as they hunt for big-league pitching help.
The Cubs also lost another arm from their bullpen mix. Vince Velasquez, who had been designated for assignment over the weekend, elected free agency.
It’s the second time this season that move has played out for Velasquez with Chicago, a sign of how unstable the pitching staff has been. That kind of churn figures to continue until the staff gets healthier.
Even so, Velasquez did give the Cubs useful innings when called upon. He made two scoreless appearances and, with teams always looking for pitching, he could find a longer opportunity somewhere else. If not, a return to Chicago on a minor-league deal would not be a surprise.
And on the star side of the roster, Pete Crow-Armstrong has already made his decision on the Home Run Derby. He told reporters he won’t take part in the 2026 event, saying the timing wasn’t right. That lines up with how he felt about it last year, too.
There may be a natural window for him later on. Wrigley Field is currently set to host the 2027 All-Star Game, which feels like the obvious stage for Crow-Armstrong to take his swing in the Derby. That said, it all depends on baseball actually being played next summer.
In Other News...
David Ross May Finally Be Closing In On Another Shot
David Ross has stayed on the radar since his run as Cubs manager ended, and the latest buzz suggests he still wants back in the dugout rather than settling into a smaller role. He has reportedly passed on bench coach opportunities before, a sign that he is waiting for the right seat at the table, and the Mets could soon present one of the more intriguing openings in the sport. Their managerial situation is expected to change after the 2026 season, which puts the former World Series-winning catcher in the conversation for a club that has not exactly made life easy for the person in charge.
Ross also has a possible in at Citi Field through Andy Green, his former Cubs bench coach, who is now in the Mets organization. That connection could matter if New York starts lining up candidates for a job that comes with plenty of pressure and a long list of recent frustrations. For Ross, it is the kind of opportunity that would fit his experience and temperament, but whether the Mets see him as more than a familiar name will be the next question. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cub Christopher Morel Gets Another Shot After Tumultuous Exit
Christopher Morel is getting another crack at carving out a major-league role, this time with the Mets after a rocky run that took him from Chicago to Tampa Bay. The former Cub has enough versatility to keep clubs interested, with big-league experience as both an outfielder and infielder, and New York is giving him a chance to reset in a new environment.
For now, he is headed to Triple-A Syracuse, where he will try to play his way back onto the Mets' radar. The deal gives him multiple opt-outs, a sign that there is still a path forward if he forces the issue, and the next question is whether that path leads to a future look in the outfield, at first base or as a designated hitter. [Read more 🡒]
Chicago Fans Are Ripping Wrigley Crowd For Crossing A Line After Win
Wrigley Field had every reason to be buzzing after the Cubs walk-off win over the Padres, a finish that sent Pete Crow-Armstrong home with the winning run and gave Chicago its 10th walk-off victory of the season. The place had the kind of postgame energy that comes with a team repeatedly finding ways to win in dramatic fashion, and the latest one only added to the sense that this club keeps leaving fans with something to celebrate.
But some of that celebration crossed a line once the game was over. Images shared by Cubs fans showed beer cans and other debris scattered onto the field, prompting a swift backlash from people who wanted the behavior condemned and stopped. It was the kind of ugly aftertaste that can overshadow a night like this if the message from the crowd gets lost in the noise. [Read more 🡒]