Cubs activate RHP Kevin Gausman ahead of club debut

Field Level Media|published: 08/05/2026, 2:52pm EDT

Aug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Kevin Gausman in advance of his expected team debut Friday on the road against the Kansas City Royals.

In a corresponding move, left-hander Antoine Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Gausman, 35, was acquired in a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. He was 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts with Toronto this season.

Over 14 major league seasons, Gausman is 117-123 with a 3.85 ERA in 384 appearances (345 starts) for the Baltimore Orioles (2013-18), Atlanta Braves (2018-19), Cincinnati Reds (2019), San Francisco Giants (2020-21) and Blue Jays.

Kelly, 26, made his major league debut Friday and did not give up a hit over 1 1/3 innings in a 2-0 loss to the New York Yankees. He walked one and struck out one.

--Field Level Media