To no surprise, the Chicago Cubs made a roster move with Cade Horton heading to the IL. It’s not the Jaxon Wiggins promotion some hoped for, but rather calling up lefthanded pitcher Riley Martin. Martin, 28, has been on the Cubs 40-man roster and got some playing time in Spring Training. The native of Salem, Illinois, and 2021 sixth-round pick out of Quincy University, has an interesting story and will now be getting ready to pitch in the Majors for the first time in his career.

The Cubs are calling up LHP Riley Martin, as @SchuckSports first reported.

He was set to go to pharmacy school six years ago, then the pandemic happened and he went from D2 to the Cubs.

Chronicled his story last spring:https://t.co/3g6W5UmBhi

— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) April 4, 2026

Martin joining the Cubs

Martin once had his eye on a career in pharmacy before the COVID-19 pandemic, but now he will join the Chicago Cubs to add pitching depth to the team. Since being drafted out of D2 ball, Martin has accumulated 282.2 innings in the Cubs system, pitching to a 3.76 ERA, 1.4 WHIP, 13.1 K/9, and 5.7 BB/9. He’s spent the last two seasons in Iowa and is coming off a very good 2025 season with a 2.69 ERA and 1.2 WHIP in 47 appearances.

It’s worth noting he has only made three starts in his Minor League career. Though he made a start last Tuesday, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up one run. He has been getting more stretched out, so he can be used in a “swing” role alongside Colin Rea. Given his being on the 40-man roster and Wiggins’ professional experience still being fairly light, it’s clear why they went with Martin for now.

Martin is a fastball, curve, slider, and occasional change-up pitcher. The fastball and curve are his primary pitches, with his heater sitting in the low-mid 90s (93-94 MPH). His strikeout numbers throughout his MiLB career are very good (410 strikeouts in 282.2 IP), and he’s limited the homers (0.8 HR/9). A weakness that stands out is the walks (178 in 282.2 IP).

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The Chicago Cubs were busy on Tuesday, November 18. News surrounding Shota Imanaga accepting the qualifying offer stole the headlines, but the organization also added three prospects to their 40-man roster, thus protecting them from December’s Rule 5 draft. ‘

Chicago Cubs add three prospects to the 40-man roster

New members of the Cubs 40-man roster include their eighth ranked prospect Pedro Ramirez, 10th ranked James Triantos, and unranked Riley Martin. Ramirez is an infielder, who is coming off 2025 MiLB Gold Glove honors as a third baseman, Triantos is capable of playing both the infield and outfield, and Martin is a 27 year old left-handed pitcher.

In 2025, Ramirez spent the entire season in Double-A, slashing .280/.346/.386 with 28 stolen bases along the way. Defense became his calling card a season ago, but as a switch hitter he has good contact skills at the plate, which pairs well with his speed.

Triantos, who entered the 2025 season as a top 100 prospect, endured tough times a season ago, posting just a .684 OPS in Triple-A. He took is a contact hitter who possesses good speed, but he hasn’t fully tapped into his full power potential yet. The former second round pick from the 2021 MLB Draft has a real shot at being an impact player on the Cubs roster in 2026.

Lastly, there is Martin. The 6’1″ southpaw was incredible in 2025, throwing 63.2 innings, striking out 80, and posting a 2.69 ERA. Walks have hurt him in the past, but with a mid 90s fastball and a devastating curveball, carving out a bullpen role in 2026 is not out of the question, especially given the expected turnover among the relief corps.

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