The White Sox designated Cowles for assignment Thursday.
Cowles struggled to perform consistently at the Triple-A level in 2025, turning in a .679 OPS across 527 plate appearances between the Cubs' and White Sox's affiliates. He'll now lose his place on the Sox's 40-man roster to make room for Drew Romo, who was claimed off waivers.
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Cubs' Benjamin Cowles: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Cowles to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
The 25-year-old was added to Chicago's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, but he was never a likely candidate to make the Opening Day roster. Cowles spent last season at the Double-A level with both the Cubs and Yankees organizations, and he had a .286/.372/.457 slash line with nine homers and 14 steals in 92 games.
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Cubs' Benjamin Cowles: Headed to Chicago
Rotowire
The Cubs acquired Cowles (undisclosed) and right-hander Jack Neely from the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Mark Leiter, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Cowles, 24, slashed .295/.376/.472 with nine home runs and 14 stolen bases over 88 games this season with Double-A Somerset before he was placed on the 7-day injured list Saturday with an unspecified injury. The Cubs likely aren't too concerned about the injury, given his inclusion in the trade. He can play second base, third base and shortstop and profiles as a potential utility infielder at the major-league level.
