In his first season as the Chicago Cubs’ manager, Craig Counsell was expected to bring stability, discipline, and a winning mindset to Wrigley Field. What he likely didn’t anticipate was facing a full-blown rotation crisis just two months into the season — a situation now threatening to derail the team’s playoff hopes before the All-Star break.

In recent weeks, the Cubs’ once-promising rotation has collapsed under the weight of injuries, inconsistency, and underperformance. And now, with the team slipping dangerously in the NL Central standings, Counsell’s patience — and options — are wearing thin.

A Rotation in Ruins

The chaos began in late April when ace Justin Steele was sidelined with a forearm strain. Shortly after, veteran Jameson Taillon reported shoulder tightness, landing on the IL. That left the Cubs leaning heavily on young arms like Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad — neither of whom have proven capable of anchoring a contending staff on a consistent basis.

Then came the latest blow: Shota Imanaga, who was dazzling in his first MLB season, was pulled early from his May 28 start with back stiffness and is now day-to-day. Without him, the rotation is left with holes big enough to drive a bus through.

“This isn’t sustainable,” Counsell said candidly after the Cubs’ 8–3 loss to the Brewers on Sunday. “We need guys who can give us five, six, seven innings consistently. Right now, we’re just piecing it together every night.”

A Desperate Call for Help

In a rare show of public frustration, Counsell called on Cubs President Jed Hoyer to explore external options. The manager stopped short of naming names but made it clear that reinforcements are needed — and fast.

“Whether it’s from within or via trade, we need to find solutions,” he said. “This group is battling, but we’re not built to bullpen our way through two months.”

Behind the scenes, sources say the Cubs front office has already begun scouring the trade market for potential short-term arms. With the deadline still two months away, the market remains limited — but as one insider put it, “the Cubs might not have the luxury of waiting.”

Names like Jack Flaherty (Tigers) and Cal Quantrill (Rockies) have been floated, but the asking prices are steep. Meanwhile, calling up top prospect Cade Horton, who has been sharp in Triple-A Iowa, may be the more immediate move.

A Bullpen Overworked

Part of the issue lies in the domino effect the rotation crisis has caused. With starters struggling to get out of the fourth or fifth inning, the bullpen has been stretched dangerously thin. Key relievers like Adbert Alzolay and Mark Leiter Jr. are showing signs of fatigue, and middle-inning roles remain unsettled.

“There’s only so many innings you can cover out of the ‘pen before things start to unravel,” Counsell noted. “We’re already pushing guys harder than we’d like.”

Kyle Hendricks: A Fading Anchor?

Once the rotation’s calming veteran presence, Kyle Hendricks has had a disastrous 2025 campaign. With an ERA north of 7.00 and diminished velocity, his starts have routinely put the Cubs in early holes. Counsell has remained supportive publicly but acknowledged that “tough decisions” may be necessary.

“You always want to give a guy like Kyle every chance,” Counsell said. “But at some point, it’s about performance.”

Bright Spots, But Not Enough

Despite the turmoil, not everything has been bleak for the Cubs. Imanaga’s early dominance was a revelation, and young pitchers like Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski have flashed potential in spot starts. But they are still raw, and Counsell knows it’s unfair to expect them to carry a staff just yet.

“You like the upside, but upside doesn’t win you games tomorrow,” he said bluntly.

The Bigger Picture

What makes this rotation crisis even more frustrating is that the rest of the roster — particularly the offense — has begun to click. Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, and Cody Bellinger have found their rhythm, and newly acquired slugger Kyle Tucker has brought a jolt of power from the left side.

The Cubs, on paper, are built to contend. But without a rotation that can hold leads and eat innings, their playoff dreams could vanish as quickly as they started.

What’s Next?

Counsell and the Cubs face an uphill battle in the coming weeks. Whether through trade, internal promotion, or simply hoping for improved health, the team must act decisively. And for a first-year manager trying to steady the ship, the pressure is already mounting.

“This is why we play 162,” Counsell said with a weary smile. “But we need help. And we need it now.”