Why Cubs’ Kevin Gausman doesn’t want to face Blue Jays after trade

Veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman will not make his debut for the Chicago Cubs against the Toronto Blue Jays. Acquired by Chicago from Toronto at the trade deadline, Gausman is instead scheduled to make his first start for the Cubs on Friday against the Kansas City Royals.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, the 35-year-old acknowledged he “didn’t necessarily ask” to not pitch against the Blue Jays, “but I was like, ‘Could we please not?'”

According to Gausman, pitching against Toronto in his Chicago debut would have been mentally challenging because of the close relationships he still has with players on the Blue Jays roster.

“I just know it would be a lot,” Gausman said about the possibility of pitching against Toronto in his first Cubs start, according to Sportsnet. “I just want to focus on trying to win a game and pitching against them, I think I could do it, I know those hitters pretty well over there, their strengths, their weaknesses. But I think it would a lot mentally. For them, too.

“Really close with all those guys. Wish them nothing but the best. Looking forward to watching us play them today and seeing those guys again, but definitely glad I’m not facing them.”

The trade came after Toronto’s disappointing 2026 campaign following its run to the 2025 World Series. Several players from that team, including Gausman, Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman, publicly expressed their appreciation for both the Blue Jays organization and the city of Toronto after being dealt, highlighting how close the group had become during its successful stretch.

Gausman joined the Cubs after compiling a 5-10 record with a 4.38 ERA and 127 strikeouts across 23 starts this season. Chicago acquired him in exchange for Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene. He is also in the final season of his five-year, $110 million contract.

Despite the emotional departure, Gausman is enthusiastic about joining the Cubs. He believes Chicago has the talent to make a deep postseason run, pointing to the team’s lineup and additions to the starting rotation. His recent playoff track record also gives the Cubs another proven postseason arm after he recorded a 2.93 ERA in six starts during the Blue Jays’ 2025 World Series campaign. Before this season, Gausman had logged at least 174⅔ innings and made at least 31 starts in each of the previous five years.

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