Cubs Claim LHP Doug Nikhazy Off Waivers, DFA Ben Cowles Again

We knew it was just a matter of time before the Cubs designated Ben Cowles for assignment yet again, and that’s exactly what just happened. After claiming left-handed pitcher Doug Nikhazy off waivers to address their hemorrhaging pitching staff, the organization needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Cowles, who was previously DFAd in September of 2025 and February of this year, was the odd man out yet again.

A second-round pick by the Guardians out of Ole Miss in 2021, Nikhazy debuted with Cleveland in 2025 and pitched four innings over two appearances. He’d been pretty solid in the minors as a starter with a few relief stints, but the Guardians felt as though he’d plateaued as he entered his age-26 season. They designated him in late March, at which point the Sox claimed him.

The southpaw appeared in just one game on the South Side, but his numbers at Triple-A Charlotte offered little to encourage the Sox to keep him on the roster. Over 10.1 innings in two starts and a relief appearance for the Knights, Nikhazy had the same ERA as he did K/9 (8.71) on a wildly inflated .485 BABIP against. His fastball sat just 87.4 mph during his brief stint in Chicago, which isn’t a great sign for a guy who’s been 90-91 mph in the past.

At this point, Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins, and Tyler Zombro are doing whatever they can to bail water from the boat so they keep it from capsizing before reinforcements get healthy. I don’t know that this particular move provides a bigger bucket, but it’s been clear that they were not going to be using Cowles.

For those who care, I will be referring to the new pitcher as Nikhazy IPA. I can’t blame others for wanting to label this move as Nikhazed and Confused, but it’s a low-risk maneuver that will probably serve as a placeholder until someone else comes along.