The Chicago Cubs made a low-key move this week, picking up left-hander David Peterson from the New York Mets. And Peterson is already making a bold promise about what he can bring to Wrigley Field.
“Excitement for the new opportunity,” Peterson said Friday, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “Some shock in the moment…I feel good, healthy. I went through some things early in the year I needed to clean up. (Feel) better now. Feel like myself back in ’24 and ’25.”
That version of Peterson — the one he thinks he’s found again — was an All-Star in 2025. He wasn’t dominant by any stretch, finishing that year with a 4.22 ERA. But he was durable and dependable. In 2024, he was even sharper, posting a 2.90 ERA over 21 outings.
The Cubs need dependable arms right now. Their rotation has been hammered by injuries this season. Justin Steele has missed time. Kyle Hendricks hasn’t been himself. The depth chart is basically held together with tape and hope. So even if Peterson isn’t suddenly an ace, just giving them six innings every fifth day would be a win.
Chicago sits at 44-37 heading into Friday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. That’s 6.5 games back in the NL Central. They’re very much in the wild-card picture but need some help to chase down Milwaukee. A revitalized Peterson could be that help.
First look in a Cubs uniform
Colin Rea takes the ball Friday night against the Brewers. Peterson is scheduled to make his Cubs debut Saturday night at 7:10 PM ET in Milwaukee. First pitch Friday is set for 7:45 PM ET.
Obviously, one pitcher isn’t going to single-handedly turn a season around. But if Peterson really does look like the guy who made the All-Star team two years ago? The Cubs might have just stolen a useful arm for nothing. And in a division race that’s still very much alive, that kind of addition matters.
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