Chicago Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman admitted he wasn't mentally ready to debut with his new team against his old club.
Gausman was lined up to pitch Thursday at Wrigley Field versus the Toronto Blue Jays after being traded Sunday for prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene.
However, the two-time All-Star will now take the mound Friday on the road against the Kansas City Royals because he preferred not to face the Blue Jays.
"(I) didn't necessarily ask, but I was like, could we please not?" Gausman said Thursday when questioned about potentially starting against Toronto, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. "I just know it would be a lot. 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 be 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."
Gausman pitched with the Blue Jays for parts of five seasons after signing a five-year, $110-million contract as a free agent in November 2021. The 35-year-old helped Toronto reach the 2025 World Series and ranks in the top 10 in several all-time pitching stats for the franchise, including starts (148), strikeouts (920), and ERA (3.62).
The 2023 AL Cy Young finalist shared Wednesday that he's already noticed some differences between Chicago and Toronto during his short time on the North Side.
"It's funny - my wife, it's the first time she's been here," Gausman said. "And after the first day she was here, she said, 'It's so different than Toronto,' and I was like, 'Yeah, the focus is baseball.' It's real grass, it's outside. So, there's a lot of different things than what we're used to. But we're excited for all the new experiences."
Gausman on Chicago: "The focus is baseball" 👀
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 5, 2026
Kevin Gausman shares his perspective on the difference between Chicago and Toronto after being traded to the Cubs.
(via @WatchMarquee) pic.twitter.com/nFzowKhhgD
Gausman can test free agency at the conclusion of the season.
