Ben

Cowles

Cowles passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from Chicago’s 40-man roster last week.

The procedural move frees up a spot on Chicago’s roster to claim reliever Doug Nikhazy off waivers. Cowles has bounced around between a couple different organizations and is likely to pass through waivers unclaimed.

As is often the case with the first batch of spring cuts, there were no real surprises among this group. Triantos, 23, showed well during Cactus League play, hitting .280 (7-for-25) with four RBI, three stolen bases and a 4/6 K/BB ratio in 31 plate appearances. He could debut with the Cubs in a utility role at some point during the 2026 season.

Cowles returns to the Cubs after the Blue Jays claimed him off waivers just two weeks ago. He’ll provide some organizational depth in 2026; likely in Triple-A Iowa.

It’s the second time this offseason Cowles has been claimed off waivers, as the Cubs originally got him from the Yankees in January. The 26-year-old infielder will get a shake at a roster spot in Spring Training, but will likely wind up in the minors if the Blue Jays are his final destination. The Jays placed Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list to free up the roster spot.

The 26-year-old infielder was claimed off of waivers from the White Sox in mid-January, but he’ll get removed from the Cubs’ 40-man roster following the addition of Shelby Miller on Sunday. There’s a decent chance he slides through waivers unclaimed and continues to function as extra infield depth for the Cubs.

Cowles, who came over from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade back in 2024, returns to the organization after spending time last year with the White Sox. The 25-year-old infielder has yet to reach the big leagues but might get a look at some point next season.

The White Sox claimed Cowles from the Cubs back in September, but needed a spot on the 40-man roster after claiming Drew Romo, so Cowles was last-in, first-out. The 25-year-old hit .238/.304/.382 with 132 strikeouts in 462 plate appearances for Triple-A Iowa last year.

Cowles has already been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. The 25-year-old stays in Chicago, but with a (much) different organization. Cowles could compete for a utility spot in 2026.

Cowles got added to the 40-man after a nice 2024 in Double-A, but he was hitting a modest .238/.304/.382 with 132 strikeouts in 462 plate appearances in Triple-A this season. There’s a pretty good chance he’ll clear waivers.