Cubs activate Phil Maton for Saturday return

Maton winds up back on the shelf with a recurring knee issue that previously put him on the injured list back in late June. The Cubs are probably going to give him an extended break in an effort to put the lingering issue to bed. He made just one appearance after coming off the injured list just prior to the All-Star break.

This opens up a roster spot for the newly acquired David Peterson. For Maton, it’s the same problem that had him shelved for much of April. Maton gave up single runs in his last two appearances to raise his ERA to 6.08. He was a candidate for save chances with Daniel Palencia out, so this makes Jacob Webb a little better of a bet for the short term.

Not good. Palencia will presumably undergo an MRI to determine whether he’s dealing with any structural damage. There should be a clear return timetable at some point later this week. The hard-throwing 26-year-old stopper has converted all three of his save chances and holds a 2.70 ERA and 19/6 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings this season. He missed a couple weeks earlier this season with a lat strain. It’ll likely be some combination of Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar and Phil Maton handling the closing duties in his absence. It’s probably a complete stay-away for fantasy managers outside of extremely deep formats.

This is the first update we’ve had on Palencia since he was put on the injured list back on April 17th. It seems that Palencia won’t need a rehab assignment before returning to the Cubs. We’ll wait to see if Palencia can progress enough to actually return this weekend, but it seems like he’s not far off. That would take away most of the fantasy value for Ben Brown and Phil Maton.

Maton rejoins Chicago’s high-leverage mix following a nearly three-week absence due to knee tendinitis. The 33-year-old’s lengthy history is key spots would suggest he’ll get a chance to work the ninth inning while both Daniel Palencia and Caleb Thielbar on the injured list, but the Cubs will probably opt against throwing him right into the fire, especially since he’s allowed six runs in four innings this season.

The Cubs made a couple of bullpen moves on Sunday afternoon, leading to speculation that Maton would be activated, but he’ll have to wait at least another day. With Daniel Palencia and Caleb Thielbar both shelved, the door is open for Maton to assume high-leverage work as long as he pitches well for the Cubs. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues for those speculating on saves.

The right-hander is already with the team in Los Angeles and will either be activated on Sunday or Monday. Maton struggled through his first five outings with the team before landing on the injured list with right knee tendinitis on April 10. Given the current state of the Cubs’ bullpen though, he’ll almost immediately be thrust into high-leverage situations upon his return. He could be worth a look for those speculating on saves in deeper leagues.

Maton had appeared in five games for the Cubs to date, allowing six earned runs and walking four batters while allowing one home run. Ethan Roberts will take over a low-leverage role in the Cubs pen in his stead.

Jon Heyman reported earlier today that Maton is guaranteed $14.5 million. The 32-year-old posted a career-best 2.79 ERA while throwing 60-plus innings for a fifth straight season in 2025. Also important was that his velocity crept back up; his 90.4 mph average on his fastball is well below average, but it’s two mph better than where he was in 2024. He’ll probably work as a setup man in the Cubs pen.

He could make an additional $500,000 in incentives over the two seasons. Maton will probably wind up as a setup man in Chicago, though that’s still to be determined. As of right now, it’d presumably be he and Daniel Palencia for the eighth and ninth, but the team still could bring a big-name closer.