Cubs Officially Sign Shelby Miller, DFA Ben Cowles
The Cubs officially announced the signing of Shelby Miller on Sunday, a deal which was originally reported on Friday.
The Cubs agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller on a on a two-year major league contract with a club option for the 2028 season. In a corresponding move, infielder Ben Cowles has been designated for assignment.
The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40.
— Jared Wyllys (@jwyllys) February 15, 2026
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the contract will pay Miller at least $2.5 million over the first two years, though the financial value of the club option has not yet been made public. Miller will not pitch until 2027 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The impending work stoppage is another interesting factor in the equation.
In a corresponding move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Miller, the Cubs designated Ben Cowles for assignment. Cowles was acquired at the 2024 trade deadline in a trade with the New York Yankees for Mark Leiter Jr. The Cubs designated him for assignment in September 2025, and he was claimed by the White Sox before being designated for assignment again in January.
The Cubs brought him back on waivers in early January, a move that may have been for organizational depth in case Matt Shaw was moved, but the need for Cowles is no longer present.
One interesting note with this roster move is that the Cubs did not place Justin Steele on the 60-day injured list. Steele said Saturday that his rehab has been “near perfect,” which should have him returning between late May and mid-June. In all likelihood, he will be moved to the 60-day injured list before the season begins, but it is something to keep an eye on.
