Cubs Place Javier Assad On Injured Listing

The Cubs made some roster strikes as we speak, with Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune amongst these to relay them on X. As was previously reported, the Cubs signed right-hander Vinny Nittoli. To open a spot for him on the energetic roster, fellow righty Javier Assad has been positioned on the 15-day injured record with a proper forearm extensor pressure. Righty Yency Almonte was transferred to the 60-day IL to offer Nittoli a 40-man spot. Assad’s transfer is retroactive to June 24, per Maddie Lee of the Chicago Solar-Occasions on X.

At this level, it’s unclear how extreme Assad’s damage is or how lengthy the membership expects him to be out of motion, however it’ll be a blow for them regardless. Assad has made 16 begins for the membership up to now this 12 months, permitting 3.04 earned runs per 9 innings. There’s most likely a bit of fine luck in that quantity, as Assad’s 83.3% strand charge and .276 batting common on balls in play are each on the lucky aspect. His 4.16 FIP and 4.22 SIERA counsel he would have hassle sustaining that type of run prevention going ahead.

Regardless, it’s nonetheless lower than perfect for the Cubs to lose one more arm to the injured record. They not too long ago had Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks land on the IL, which pressured Kyle Hendricks again right into a rotation function, after he struggled earlier within the 12 months and acquired kicked to the bullpen. The bullpen has additionally been undercut by accidents, with Almonte, Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. all on the shelf.

Round all of these accidents, the membership has been falling within the standings. They have been 18-12 on the finish of April however have gone 19-32 since, placing them at 37-44 in the meanwhile. That’s nonetheless simply 5 video games again of a playoff spot within the weak Nationwide League Wild Card standings, however they’re at present the worst group within the NL other than the Marlins and Rockies. That offers them a slim margin for error with the deadline simply over a month away and shedding a strong rotation member like Assad for even only a few weeks doesn’t assist.

With out Assad, the rotation consists of Hendricks, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga. They might want to provide you with a fifth starter quickly and likewise play seven video games in six days simply earlier than the All-Star break, due to a July 13 double-header in St. Louis. Hayden Wesneski made a spot begin yesterday, tossing 4 innings, and will maybe get the ball once more within the coming days. Drew Smyly has loads of beginning expertise however has been in a reduction function this 12 months. High pitching prospect Cade Horton is shut down with a subscapularis pressure and unavailable in the meanwhile. Thomas Pannone, Dan Straily and Kyle McGowin are within the system on minor league offers and stretched out within the minors, although none of that trio at present has a roster spot.

As for Almonte, he’s been on the injured record since Might 8 resulting from a shoulder pressure. This switch means he can’t be reinstated till 60 days from that date, which might be July 7. He wasn’t going to be prepared earlier than then anyhow. A couple of days in the past, supervisor Craig Counsell instructed reporters that Almonte could be getting a second opinion after hitting a wall in his restoration makes an attempt. “We’re simply not progressing,” Counsell stated, per Montemurro on X. “We have now to search out out whether or not medically there’s one thing we’ve got to handle or we’ve got to take a special path on the rehab.”