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  "path": "/cubs/2026/07/04/pete-crow-armstrong-lone-cubs-all-star",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-04T23:51:56.871Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Center fielder <b>Pete Crow-Armstrong</b> was named an All-Star for the second time Saturday and will represent the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> on July 14 in Philadelphia.</p><p>Despite a payroll approaching $230 million, he’ll be the only Cubs player at the event.</p><p>After a frenetic and exhausting first half of the season, the Cubs are in position to make the playoffs for the second straight year. But they are not a series away from catching the Brewers, who entered Saturday with a six-game lead in the National League Central, nor do they look like a challenger to the Dodgers.</p><p>They look like a team with one All-Star.</p><p>None of the highly paid infielders <b>Alex Bregman</b>, <b>Nico Hoerner</b>, <b>Dansby Swanson </b>had strong All-Star cases. Those three are signed through at least 2029; and Bregman and Swanson are past 30 and Hoerner will hit 30 next year. Other than Crow-Armstrong, the outfield has gotten production from <b>Seiya Suzuki </b>(129 OPS-plus) and <b>Ian Happ </b>(117 OPS-plus), though not on an All-Star level.</p><p>Meanwhile, the pitching staff has been rocked by injuries, and the trade for <b>Edward Cabrera </b>hasn’t worked out due to Cabrera’s health and ineffectiveness when he’s been on the mound.</p><p>At least <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/07/03/pete-crow-armstrong-had-a-june-that-compares-with-babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig\" >things have gone better for Crow-Armstrong</a>. His 5.1 wins above replacement (per Baseball Reference) led all NL position players and he’s generally embraced being one of the faces of baseball.</p><p>Manager <b>Craig Counsell </b>said Crow-Armstrong is an “entertainer” who is wired for that role.</p><p>“In Pete’s case, what’s fun to watch is there’s something in every part of the game that he is able to do,” Counsell said.“He’s not some huge person that does it, he’s a pretty normal-size person that can do it. That’s also creates a connection with fans.”</p><h2>Another arm enters</h2><p>The Cubs signed righthanded pitcher <b>Jake Woodford </b>to a one-year contract. Righty <b>Bryse Wilson </b>was designated for assignment.</p><p>Woodford, 29, made 16 appearances for the Brewers earlier this year. He’s also pitched for the Cardinals, White Sox, Pirates and Diamondbacks.</p><p>“We’re trying to create some availability and make sure that, regardless of what happens in a game, we’re ready for the next game,” Counsell said.</p><p>Wilson pitched twice for the Cubs. On Friday, he contributed by saving the bullpen during the 17-1 rout, throwing 3 1/3 innings. But he allowed seven runs in the process, raising his ERA to 6.52 and sacrificing his stats to help the team.</p><p>“It’s never a good feeling, frankly, and it’s the bad things about games like that,” Counsell said. “The worst thing about games like that is that.”</p><h2>Shaw update</h2><p>Infielder/outfielder <b>Matt Shaw </b>(left hand sprain) will not be back until after the All-Star break. Counsell said Shaw is still in a testing and resting phase</p><p>The next evaluation for Shaw will be in the middle of this week. Counsell said Shaw has not regressed.</p><p>“We’re still optimistic,” Counsell said. “This means he will not be active immediately after the All-Star break but we’re still hopeful that very soon after the break he’s active.”</p>",
  "title": "Pete Crow-Armstrong named Cubs' lone All-Star",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-04T23:55:26.928Z"
}