Chicago Cubs: An update on top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins

The Chicago Cubs desperately need starting pitching, but they probably won’t be getting it anytime soon from their top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins.

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Back in early April, the 24-year-old Wiggins was pulled after his second start of the 2026 season for the Iowa Cubs with what was initially labeled a “sore arm.” Later, the diagnosis was a more concrete “right elbow inflammation” and the Cubs’ 2023 second round draft pick has been on the shelf ever since, limited to just a few recent bullpen sessions.

An update on Wiggins’ injury status

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Chicago Cubs beat writer for the Chicago Tribune Meghan Montemurro recently offered up a minor update on Wiggins’ injury status and where he may be headed in terms of his recovery:

“Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins (elbow inflammation) is throwing a bullpen in next day or so in Arizona, which he’s had a few of, but president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said there’s nothing beyond that to report.

Wiggins has not yet ramped up to game situations”

The update coincides with Cubs president Jed Hoyer’s comments regarding Wiggins’ recovery.

“He’s working his way back, he’s doing a lot of work, he’s throwing bullpens, and obviously that’s a good sign,” Hoyer told the Chicago Tribune. “But he hasn’t really ramped up to the game situations.”

Back in April, when Wiggins was first sidelined, just days after emerging young ace Cade Horton was lost for the season with an elbow injury, Hoyer offered his take on the rash of injuries hitting young pitchers in general.

“Guys are throwing 96, 97 (mph) with great stuff,” Hoyer said. “You have to let them go pitch.”

The last of the homegrown pitching talents

For now, Wiggins isn’t pitching, though, and there’s no real timeline for when he could be expected back. The only guarantee is that the Cubs organization is going to be careful with him as he is, pretty much literally, the last of the system’s homegrown high-end pitching prospects. This year is not as much of a concern as is the career that follows.

The hard-throwing 6-foot-6 righty made the climb from Double-A to Triple-A last season, amid concerns regarding his recovery from a 2023 Tommy John surgery and just general fatigue. The Cubs made a concerted effort in 2025 to limit his innings pitched and keep an eye on the general condition of his arm.

He excelled under those watchful eyes, posting a 2.19 ERA in 78 innings across three levels, registering a total of 97 strikeouts along the way. He was, however, rested for about a month, mid-season, as he dealt with arm soreness and an inability to recover between starts.

But headlines were made last season when Wiggins was rested for a spell of about a month at Double-A, mid-season, as he dealt with arm soreness and an inability to recover between starts.

Last year’s issues and this year’s have raised many questions regarding Wiggins’ long-term durability as a starter.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-injury-update-jaxon-wiggins-top-pitching-prospect/