David Peterson is on the move. Gregory Fisher / Imagn ImagesJune 25, 2026 12:28 am EDT Updated In dire need of rotation help, the Chicago Cubs are acquiring lefty starter David Peterson in a trade with the New York Mets, sources said late Wednesday night after the teams completed a doubleheader.In return for Peterson, the Mets are acquiring minor-league infielder Cole Mathis.Peterson is set to join a rotation that includes Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea, Javier Assad and Matthew Boyd, who is expected to return from the injured list Thursday to pitch against the Mets.The trade does not indicate that the Mets are starting a sell-off, according to people familiar with their plans, who spoke anonymously so as to freely discuss the situation. The Mets (34-46), however, are on a five-game losing streak and sitting nine games back of the third wild-card spot, which the Cubs hold.Why MLB's draft proposal would be bad for baseball's futureKeith LawIn moving on from Peterson, the Mets are freeing up a spot in their rotation with the recognition that the guys they were using were simply not getting the job done.
Over 16 appearances, including eight starts, Peterson holds a 6.09 ERA. He was an on-again, off-again member of the Mets’ thin rotation.Still, given the Cubs’ injury woes, Peterson is a necessary add. Already without Jameson Taillon, the Cubs lost Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera in consecutive days to the injured list.In 39 games and 182 plate appearances across both levels of Class A, Mathis owns a .981 OPS with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases. The Cubs selected him during the second round in the 2024 amateur draft.
