The Cubs selected Carlson's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson joined the Cubs as a non-roster invitee to spring camp and played his way into a roster spot by slashing .298/.421/.404 across 57 plate appearances. He'll provide Chicago with extra depth in the outfield while Seiya Suzuki works his way back from a knee injury, but Carlson likely won't have a path to regular playing time unless another one of the Cubs' outfielders gets hurt. Tyler Austin (knee) was placed on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Carlson was informed Tuesday that he will make Chicago's Opening Day roster, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Seiya Suzuki (knee) set to begin the year on the injured list, the Cubs are bolstering their outfield depth with Carlson and fellow veteran Michael Conforto. Carlson was in camp as a non-roster invitee after stumbling to a .203/.278/.336 line across 83 games with the Orioles last season. He'll likely serve in a depth role with limited fantasy utility, though he does have a path to increased playing time if any other Chicago outfielders go down with injuries. Carlson will ultimately make the team over Kevin Alcantara, who has options available and will begin the season with Triple-A Iowa.

Carlson is having a solid spring with a 1.071 OPS across 20 Cactus League at-bats, and he stands a decent chance at earning an Opening Day bench spot with the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs signed Carlson to a minor-league contract in January, and the veteran outfielder is making the most out of the opportunity. The loss of Tyler Austin (knee) for at least a few months gives Chicago at least one extra bench spot to fill, with Carlson and fellow veteran outfielder Michael Conforto both making pushes to be on the Opening Day roster. Carlson didn't do much offensively last year in Baltimore, as he slashed just .203/.278/.336 across 83 games, so his fantasy value remains limited, particularly in a reserve role. However, he could have greater appeal if he's forced into more regular playing time at some point.

The Cubs signed Carlson to a minor-league contract Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Greg Zumach of The Baseball Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson slashed only .203/.278/.336 across 241 plate appearances for the Orioles in 2025. He's still just 27, but the former top prospect has had little success at the major-league level since a nice rookie season back in 2021. Carlson will likely begin the 2026 campaign as outfield depth at Triple-A Iowa.

Carlson elected free agency Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson cleared waivers and opted for free agency rather than being assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. He struggled across 241 big-league plate appearances in 2025, hitting only .203/.278/.336.

Carlson went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The double was Carlson's first extra-base hit in the month of September, and the multi-hit game was his first since Aug. 16 in Houston. Despite having plenty of opportunities to seize a more significant role in the Orioles' outfield -- Ramon Laureano, Ryan O'Hearn and Cedric Mullins were all traded away back in July -- Carlson has struggled to find his footing in Baltimore throughout 2025. Since the start of August, Carlson is slashing .186/.293/.337 with two home runs and five RBI over his last 99 plate appearances (30 games) en route to posting a putrid .622 OPS for the year.

Carlson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson is out of the lineup for the third game in a row and looks to have moved into a reserve role while Jeremiah Jackson and Dylan Beavers get long looks. Though Carlson had begun to show signs of life at the plate, going 9-for-27 (.333 average) with two home runs and a 5:8 BB:K in his last nine games, he's slashing just .206/.262/.344 over 195 plate appearances for Baltimore this season.

Carlson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Carlson will head to the bench after starting five straight games and going 7-for-16 with two home runs, one triple, three walks, four RBI and four runs. With Colton Cowser (concussion) returning from the injured list Sunday and Dylan Beavers likely to get an extended audition as an everyday player, Carlson could find himself back in a bench role when Tyler O'Neill (wrist) comes off the IL.

Carlson went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Friday's 7-0 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder extended Baltimore's lead with a 330-foot shot into the Crawford Boxes off Shawn Dubin in the eighth inning, his first home run since June 12 and first extra-base hit since June 22. During the prolonged 31-game homer drought, Carlson went just 13-for-88 with three RBI and five runs scored, struggling to make consistent hard contact. Friday's performance not only snapped the homerless stretch but also marked his second multi-hit effort in his last three games, offering a glimpse of improved form at the plate. On the season, the 26-year-old is slashing .200/.249/.315 with five home runs, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored across 61 games

Carlson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

With Baltimore having moved three outfielders at the trade deadline before placing two more -- Colton Cowser (concussion) and Tyler O'Neill (wrist) -- on the injured list, Carlson's standing as a regular in the outfield appears relatively secure. That said, the 26-year-old has done little with his extended run in the lineup, as he went 0-for-31 with no runs or RBI over the past 10 games. While Carlson gets a breather, Greg Allen, Jordyn Adams and Jeremiah Jackson will start from left to right Sunday.