Fluke Injury Could Impact Chicago Cubs Spring Training Standout
This is certainly something to monitor this week as a potential fluke injury could change the entire dynamic of one of the few roster battles occurring in spring training for the Chicago Cubs. Dylan Carlson was seemingly the clubhouse leader through the first 10 days of camp to make the Opening Day roster as the fourth outfielder, but now he’s hoping a hit by pitch won’t cost him a golden opportunity with the Cubs.
Carlson, who signed a minor league deal this offseason and entered spring training with a legit shot at earning a roster spot, has been on fire at the plate in Arizona. Prior to Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Carlson was 5-for-11, with five walks. The switch-hitter added to his résumé with two more hits, including a first-inning double to right field and a 105 mph line drive single in the third inning.
Dylan Carlson doubles to begin his day. He’s now 6-for-12 with 5 walks to 3 strikeouts this spring. pic.twitter.com/BtIzY9A30F
— Carson Wolf (@TheWrigleyWire) March 2, 2026
The 27-year-old is still trying to get back to his early form with the St. Louis Cardinals, but injuries continue to disrupt Carlson’s progress. He put up a 2.4 fWAR season in 2021, and followed it up with a decent 1.9 fWAR in 2022. However, Carlson has been searching for consistency for a few years and on Monday he might have suffered a setback.
After collecting a hit in each of his first two plate appearances against the Reds, Carlson was drilled on the right elbow by an 89 mph cutter that ran way inside from left-handed pitcher Brandon Williamson in the fourth inning of Monday’s spring training game.
Carlson did remain in the game following the hit by pitch and stayed in defensively in the bottom of the fourth inning. However, Carlson was notably the first player to be replaced in the outfield by the Cubs in the fifth inning as 2025 second round pick Kane Kepley came in to left field for Carlson.
At this point you obviously hope that this was nothing more than a precautionary move by the Cubs. Yet, there’s no doubt that taking a pitch right off the elbow is going to sting, especially when the adrenaline went down. Carlson has looked good so far in spring training and it would be brutal for him to possibly suffer a setback because of that hit by pitch.
Chas McCormick is Carlson’s main competition for the fourth outfield spot. The 30-year-old is 5-for-20, with seven strikeouts in seven games so far in spring training for the Cubs.