Ex-Toronto Blue Jays star Kevin Gausman experiencing issue with new club

Former Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman made his first start at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night, but things didn't exactly go to plan.

In the fourth inning, Gausman began experiencing what announcers believed was a cramp in his left hand. When he took off his glove, it was clear he was having trouble fully extending his thumb on his non-throwing hand.

Cubs manager and pitching coach came out to check on Gausman and gave him some energy gel to help him get through the rest of the inning, but the issue didn't go away.

The next inning, Gausman's left hand began twitching again. This time, he was forced to leave the game and did not return.

Kevin Gausman exited with an apparent injury in his first Wrigley Field start as a Cub pic.twitter.com/QCoT8U4SOb

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 19, 2026

It was later reported that Gausman left Tuesday's start against the Chicago White Sox due to a left-hand cramp — something he said has happened before, but never this early in an outing.

"I've had it happen, but usually it's when I'm up over 100 pitches. I've never had it happen this early in an outing," he told reporters following Tuesday's game.

The 35-year-old was recently traded from Toronto to Chicago at the 2026 trade deadline in exchange for prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene.

Bateman's impact with the Blue Jays has been immediate.

So, Kevin Gausman just told the press he has a history of his left hand cramping and calls it "kinda frustrating".@Cubs #GoCubsGo #Cubs pic.twitter.com/1J2oUHhtbf

— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) August 19, 2026

In 10 games with Toronto, Bateman is hitting a stellar .283 and has taken over the leadoff spot in the Blue Jays' batting order. He's also helped the team get back into the win column, with Toronto winning eight of the 10 games they've played with him in the lineup.

The severity of Gausman's hand issue has not yet been reported.

If the issue continues to bother him, it could present problems for the Cubs, which acquired the veteran pitcher to bolster its rotation for a potential playoff run.