Kevin Gausman’s first Wrigley Field start as a Cub turned into an uncomfortable night fast.
The former Toronto Blue Jays ace was on the mound Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox when trouble started in the fourth inning. Announcers believed he was dealing with a cramp in his left hand, and once he removed his glove, it was obvious he was having a hard time fully extending the thumb on his non-throwing hand.
Chicago’s manager and pitching coach both came out to check on him and handed him some energy gel in an attempt to help him finish the inning. The problem didn’t ease up. By the next frame, Gausman’s left hand was twitching again, and that was enough to send him out of the game for good.
Afterward, Gausman said he has dealt with the issue before, but not this early in a start.
"I've had it happen, but usually it's when I'm up over 100 pitches. I've never had it happen this early in an outing," he told reporters following Tuesday's game.
The 35-year-old was traded from Toronto to Chicago at the 2026 trade deadline, with the Blue Jays receiving prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene in return.
Bateman, meanwhile, has wasted no time making his presence felt in Toronto. In 10 games with the Blue Jays, he’s hitting .283 and has already moved into the leadoff spot. Toronto has also won eight of the 10 games it has played with him in the lineup.
For now, the exact severity of Gausman’s hand problem hasn’t been reported. But if it lingers, it could become a real issue for the Cubs, who brought him in to help fortify the rotation for a possible playoff push.
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