Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was selected to represent the Chicago Cubs at the MLB All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia, marking his second All-Star appearance. Despite the team’s substantial payroll nearing $230 million, Crow-Armstrong will be the only Cubs player to participate in the midseason showcase.
The Cubs enter the All-Star break positioned to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive year, though they trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by six games in the National League Central as of Saturday. The club remains distant from contention with the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
While Crow-Armstrong has distinguished himself as a standout performer, other high-profile Cubs players have not mustered strong cases for All-Star recognition. Notably, infielders Alex Bregman, Nico Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson—each under contract through at least 2029—have struggled to deliver All-Star caliber performances. Bregman and Swanson are both over 30 years old, with Hoerner turning 30 next year. Outside of Crow-Armstrong, only outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ have contributed effectively, posting OPS-plus figures of 129 and 117 respectively, though neither reached All-Star status.
Pitching has posed challenges for the Cubs this season, with injuries disrupting the rotation and bullpen stability. The club’s trade acquisition of right-hander Edward Cabrera has not yielded the hoped-for results due to his ongoing health issues and lackluster outings.
Crow-Armstrong’s strong performance stands out statistically; his 5.1 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference, lead all National League position players. He has emerged as one of the faces of the game and is widely regarded as an exciting player. Brewers manager Craig Counsell, commenting on Crow-Armstrong’s style, described him as an “entertainer” who excels across all facets of the game despite a relatively average physical stature, making him relatable to fans.
In roster moves, the Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford to a one-year contract and designated right-hander Bryse Wilson for assignment. Woodford, 29, has MLB experience with five different teams, including the Brewers earlier this year. He provides added depth for the Cubs’ pitching staff.
Wilson appeared twice for Chicago this season, notably pitching 3⅓ innings during a lopsided 17-1 victory on Friday to preserve the bullpen. However, he allowed seven runs in that outing, increasing his earned run average to 6.52 and likely sealing his departure. Manager Counsell acknowledged the difficulty of such performances and their impact on the team.
Meanwhile, infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw remains sidelined with a left-hand sprain and will miss action through the All-Star break. Shaw is currently in a period of rest and evaluation, with a progress review scheduled for midweek. Counsell expressed cautious optimism about Shaw’s recovery, noting no setbacks but indicating the player will not return immediately after the break. The team hopes for Shaw’s activation shortly thereafter.