The Chicago Cubs sent left-hander Doug Nikhazy outright to Triple-A Iowa after he cleared waivers, keeping the pitcher in the organization while removing him from the MLB 40-man roster.
MLB Trade Rumors reported that Nikhazy went unclaimed after being designated for assignment by Chicago. MLB's player-level transaction history verifies that the Cubs sent him outright from the major league club to Iowa on June 17, 2026.
Nikhazy Stays With Iowa After Waiver Process
The MLB player record lists Nikhazy as an active Iowa Cubs pitcher and confirms Iowa is the Triple-A affiliate under the Chicago Cubs organization. That makes the move a depth reset rather than an immediate departure from the club.
MLBTR reported that this is the first outright of Nikhazy's career, which means he cannot reject the assignment and elect free agency. The practical result is simple: Chicago keeps a left-handed arm in Des Moines without occupying a 40-man spot.
The Cubs designated Nikhazy for assignment earlier in the week to create space for right-hander Yosver Zulueta, according to MLBTR. Nikhazy had not pitched for Chicago's major league club and had spent his time with the organization at Triple-A Iowa.
Another Stop In A Busy Season
Nikhazy, 26, was Cleveland's second-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2021. MLB's transaction history shows he was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from Cleveland on April 6, then claimed by the Cubs from the White Sox on April 28 and optioned to Iowa the same day.
His major league track record remains brief. MLBTR credited him with six career MLB innings: four with Cleveland and two with the White Sox. The outlet reported seven runs allowed on six hits and eight walks with six strikeouts across those appearances.
The recent Triple-A performance explains why the Cubs were able to pass him through waivers. MLBTR reported that Nikhazy carried an 8.51 ERA in 37 Triple-A innings this season across the Chicago affiliates, with a 14 percent walk rate, a 22.5 percent strikeout rate and seven home runs allowed.
Chicago's move does not solve a major league pitching shortage by itself, but it preserves an optionable depth arm for Iowa. For Nikhazy, the next relevant step is performance rather than paperwork: he remains in the Cubs system with a clearer path back only if the command improves.