Cubs bring in former ranked prospect to help the injured bullpen

As the Cubs navigate their pitcher injury woes, they select the contract of former ranked right-handed pitching prospect Corbin Martin from AAA Iowa. Martin, 30, was originally a second round draft pick by the Astros in 2017 and was at one point on the top 100 prospect lists of Baseball America and MLB. Since then, he has bounced around organizations. Martin missed much of 2019 and 2020 due to Tommy John surgery, as well as 2023 due to a lat tendon tear.

The Cubs signed Martin to a Minor League deal back in January.

With Daniel Palencia sidelined, the Cubs are adding Corbin Martin to their bullpen and moving Cade Horton to the 60-day injured list.

— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 18, 2026

What are the Cubs getting in Martin?

Unfortunately for Martin, he does not have much of a track record in the Majors, marked by injuries and struggles. Since his debut in 2019, he’s pitched in 34 games (10 starts) and sports a career 6.54 ERA, 6.57 WHIP, 1.9 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, and 5.6 BB/9 in 75.2 innings. He’s never pitched more than 22.1 MLB innings in a season.

Last season, he pitched in the Majors for the first time since 2022 with the Orioles and surrendered 12 runs in 18 innings, while striking out 23 hitters. He’s only pitched in two games (2.0 IP) in Iowa this year.

Martin is primarily a fastball, slider, and curveball pitcher with an occasional changeup. Earlier in his career, he was heavier with his fastball, but last year he mixed in more breaking stuff. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with the slider around 88-90 MPH. He’s gotten some decent whiffs; last year, he posted a 26% strikeout rate, but walks and getting hit hard have been big issues.

Just trying to get by.

The Cubs are now without Cade Horton (for the season/60 day IL), Justin Steele (rehabbing), Matthew Boyd (rehabbing), Porter Hodge (for the season), Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Jordan Wicks, and Ethan Roberts. This does not count Shelby Miller (rehabbing) and Gavin Hollowell, who are both on the 40-man. Right now, they need all the help they can get.

It’s hard to have any expectations for Martin, and it should be seen as first and foremost a band-aid on a very bruised arm. Although the Cubs have found plenty of diamonds in the rough in recent years when it comes to bullpen arms. Not to say Martin will be one, but time will tell. This will be quite a challenge for Craig Counsell and company.

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