The Cubs had to navigate a litany of injuries in the rotation and bullpen this season. A handful of trade deadline acquisitions added an extra wrinkle to managing the staff. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and assistant pitching coach Casey Jacobson were tasked with handling an ever-changing group. They’ll get another chance to do it in 2027, as both are expected to be retained by the team, reports Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.

Hottovy has been with the organization since the 2015 season. He became the pitching coach for the 2019 campaign. The team has gone through multiple managers during his tenure, but he’s remained on staff for each change. Joe Maddon was the skipper when Hottovy was first elevated to his current position. David Ross took over in 2020. Craig Counsell has been at the helm for the past three seasons.

Jacobson has been in his role for the past two seasons. He took over for Daniel Moskos, who became the Marlins’ pitching coach in 2025. Jacobson previously worked as a minor league instructor in the Cubs’ system. He joined the organization after working at Driveline Baseball.

Chicago’s rotation was snakebitten from the jump. Justin Steele’s recovery from elbow surgery never got off the ground. Cade Horton needed Tommy John after two starts. Matthew Boyd hit the IL after two starts, came back for three games, then got hurt again. Offseason trade acquisition Edward Cabrera came down with a blister in May that would plague him throughout the season. Just as Ben Brown was emerging as a capable starter, a neck injury ended his year.

The bullpen didn’t fare much better in the health department. Hunter Harvey was available for four games. Porter Hodge needed TJ before the end of April. Daniel Palencia didn’t make it through April either. He wasn’t the same after coming back from oblique and elbow injuries. Phil Maton had three separate IL stints for a knee injury.

The Cubs tried to bolster the unit by adding Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman, and Ryan Zeferjahn at the trade deadline. None of the pickups paid off. Zeferjahn will be back next season, but Holmes and Gausman were pure rentals.

It’s hard to pin any of the blame on Hottovy and Jacobson, given the mountain of injuries. Better health will be key for Chicago’s pitching staff in 2027.

Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images