The Cubs designated infielder Ben Cowles for assignment two weeks ago to clear a space for righty reliever Shelby Miller, after which Cowles was claimed by the Blue Jays. But when Toronto needed a spot for Max Scherzer, Cowles was back on the waiver wire. That gave the Cubs the chance to acquire him for the third time, with Miller’s placement on the 60-day IL making room.
The Cubs first picked Cowles up from the Yankees as part of the return for Mark Leiter Jr. at the 2024 trade deadline.