Cubs Claim IF Ben Cowles off Waivers from White Sox

According to a team announcement, the Cubs have claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the White Sox. It’s deja vu all over again for Cowles, who was acquired by the Cubs at the 2024 trade deadline along with righty Jack Neely in return for reliever Mark Leiter Jr. Cowles logged a total of 469 plate appearances for the Cubs between Double-A and Triple-A over parts of the past two seasons, but was designated for assignment in September. The Sox claimed him, then DFA’d him a week ago.

This move fills the Cubs’ 40-man roster, though it’s entirely possible Cowles or recent outfield addition Justin Dean could be designated to clear space. Cowles has yet to make his big league debut, but his ability to play second, third, and short makes him a good player to have waiting in the wings in case of emergency.

No word yet on whether Cowles remaining with a Chicago team has anything to do with Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy being filmed there.